JAMMU, Aug 1: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched a public awareness campaign urging users to stay alert against text message (SMS) scams, highlighting five core actions to avoid and sharing essential safety guidelines.
According to a communication released by the NPCI: Digital payments are now accessible nationwide, driving India towards a digital-first economy, offering both security and convenience. Today, many frauds begin with a simple text message designed to create urgency, fear or curiosity and influence people into taking quick decisions. This form of social engineering relies on human emotions instead of technical expertise. Knowing how these scams work can help you recognise the warning signs and protect yourself from financial fraud.
Defining a text message scam, the NPCI said that a text message scam is a fake SMS sent to trick you into taking an action that can put your money, personal information or digital accounts at risk. These messages often pretend to be from a trusted organisation or someone you know, making them appear genuine.
According to the NPCI, most text message scams are designed to get you to do one of these five things, that you should avoid; Click on a link that leads to a fake website, Call a fake customer care or helpline number, Download an unknown app or file, Share personal or financial information such as your OTP, PIN or passwords and Transfer money to someone (a fake SMS indicating money credited to your account).
Descring how scammers try to gain your trust, the NPCI stated, “Scammers often present themselves as representatives of banks, government agencies, delivery companies, telecom providers, or other trusted organisations. They use social engineering techniques to encourage people to act quickly before taking the time to think or verify the request. They may create fear by claiming that your account will be blocked or that there is a problem with your money. They may also appeal to greed by offering prizes, rewards, or refunds. Their messages often appear genuine and are designed to take advantage of lack of awareness and overlooked warning signs.”
Giving tips on the simple ways to stay safe, the NPCI advised to: Read every message carefully before taking any action; Verify requests through the official website, app or customer care of the organisation; Download apps only from trusted sources such as official app stores; Never share your OTP, UPI PIN or passwords with anyone; Avoid clicking links or downloading apps from unexpected messages; Always verify by checking your bank account statement on receipt of a credit message; Review app permissions carefully and provide only those permissions that are genuinely required.
In case of suspected fraud, NPCI urged citizens to preserve evidence by saving messages, taking screenshots and documenting all interactions, as these could assist authorities during investigations. It also appealed to the public to immediately report suspicious mobile numbers and cyber fraud attempts by calling the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or reporting them through the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi portal.
NPCI is the umbrella entity responsible for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India. It is established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).