What are lottery scams?
Free lottery scams, as the name suggests trap people into online fraud by telling them that they have won a lottery and to avail it they must transfer a certain processing fee. Legitimate lotteries do not require any payment to claim the winnings. Once you accept this as your money and follow the instructions received in your email or on the phone call, you’ve been trapped. The scammer not only gets the processing fee but also the card details and in return, all your money.
So how exactly do lottery scams operate?
This is how a Lottery Scam email/message reads.
Your winnings can be in the form of cash in the account, a cheque to be received at a later date, a trip, a cashback, and many such tempting offers.
How many of us have received emails saying:
‘Hey D, Congratulations! You are Bajaaj’s lucky customer & have won a trip to Bali. Please call your Bajaaj Financial claims agent at 981XXXXXXX and he will guide you about the processing fee to claim this prize.’
Another example of lottery fraud in India is ‘BajaajFin has chosen you as its lucky customer. Transfer Rs. 999 to get your Bike’.
Or,
‘Thank you for your association with Bajaj Finserve, as a valued customer we would like to credit Rs. 1,00,000 to your account, please share your card details and the CVV so we can go ahead with the transfer.’
Once you do what the scammers prompt you to do, your money is gone, and you are offered nothing in return.
How can you protect yourself from lottery scams?
• It is quite easy to not get fooled by lottery frauds India is getting plagued with. Chances are if you never applied for a lottery or took part in a competition, the communication is bogus
• Never disclose your CVV, card information, OTP, or any other sensitive information
• Check the email address of the sender, it won’t be the actual office address that you had been receiving prior communication from. Look out for spelling errors
• If it is an email or text from your bank or a company you are associated with, call the customer care line to confirm the same
• If the offer sounds too good to be true, it mostly is. Delete the email or report and block the sender
• Never open attachments from unknown senders, no matter how enticing the offer
• Beware of any fraudulent calls pretending to be your financial institution asking for KYC details and OTP information. Report the matter
If you are caught in this scam, who should you approach for help?
If you have fallen for an online scam and disclose valuable information, it will be misused for fraudulent financial transaction. For any such queries visit https://www.bajajfinserv.in/reach-us
Blocking your card may not be enough as your money can be accessed online using the ‘forgot password option’ and with access to your details they can manage their way in. Seek advice on further steps to follow directly from the financial company you are associated with. You could log onto https://cybercrime.gov.in/or call the 24x7 cyber helpline 9820810007.
Always remain cautious and alert when it comes to anything involving your finances.
Stay alert, stay safe from online frauds in India.
Savdhaan Rahein. Safe Rahein.
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