Lost Money to Online Fraud? Do These Things First
The first steps after a UPI, OTP, job or investment fraud: calling 1930, filing on cybercrime.gov.in and informing your bank.
Speed matters most after an online fraud. The sooner a fraud is reported, the better the chance that the money can be frozen before it is withdrawn.
1. Call 1930 immediately
1930 is the national cyber fraud helpline. Give the transaction ID (UTR), amount, date and time, and the fraudster's phone number or UPI ID. The helpline can alert banks to put a hold on the funds.
2. File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in
Register a detailed complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Keep ready:
- Transaction IDs, dates, amounts and bank names
- Screenshots of chats, calls, websites or app pages
- The fraudster's phone numbers, UPI IDs and links
You will receive an acknowledgement number; keep it safe.
3. Inform your bank in writing
Report the unauthorised transaction to your bank by email or through its official app, quoting the complaint number. Under RBI rules, reporting quickly can limit your liability in unauthorised electronic transactions.
4. Secure your accounts
- Change UPI PINs and banking passwords
- Uninstall any screen-sharing or remote-access app the fraudster asked you to install
- Check sancharsaathi.gov.in for mobile connections in your name
Beware of recovery scams
Fraud victims are often targeted again by people promising to recover the money for an advance fee. Genuine police and banks never ask for such payments.
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