NPCI issued an alert on its X (East Twitter) account, urging users to be vigilant.
– UPI (@UPI_NPCI) 14 February, 2025
How scam works
Fraudbers are exploiting call merging, a feature for convenience, to trick individuals to share OTP.
Scammers called users and claimed that they had their number from a friend. They then request to merge the call with the so -called friend, who is actually calling from the second number.
Once the merger is merged, the victim inadvertently connects a valid OTP verification call from his bank. The scammer then manipulates the user to share the OTP, completing the fraud transaction.
How to be safe
NPCI shared these safety tips to prevent falling for such scams:
- Never merge the call with unknown numbers. If someone requests you to merge the call, be cautious, especially from unfamiliar sources.
- Verify the collar authenticity. If someone claims to be with your bank or a reliable contact, confirm their identity before taking any action.
- Bank and real service providers will never ask for OTP on calls. If someone emphasizes, it is a scam.
- Report suspect OTP. If you get an OTP for an transaction, you have not started, immediately report it to the National Cybercrime Helpline, and inform your bank to prevent any loss.
“Use of every new technology or banking facility becomes a potential tool for fraud to reach easily if users do not know about risks. It is important that digital literacy and cyber security awareness to prevent misuse Along with innovations develops, “Shashank Shekhar, co-cum-cum-co-cum-founder, Future Crime Research Foundation.
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