How to Report Online Scams in India 2024

How to Report Online Scam- Over the past few years, India has grown at a massive speed, especially in the digital sphere. Now, the technologies are much more updated than they were a few years back. However, with such rapid digital growth, there has been a significant increase in cyber crime. In order to curb that, the Government of India has launched many initiatives, including-

• Cyber crime helpline
• Cyber crime report portal
• Cyber complaint online

The initiatives are surely good. But there are still many people in India who don’t know how to report online scams. In fact, there are many people who still don’t know how to spot a cyber crime or scam and forget about reporting it. Under such circumstances, what should we do? 

As one of India’s woke channels, we at LabourLawAdvisor have decided to help people out with such frauds and crimes. For the same, we have listed below the measures regarding “how to spot and report a cybercrime in India”. But before that, let’s understand the types of cyber crimes that prevail in the market-

Understanding the Common Scams

Let’s take a look at some of the most prevalent online scams in India:

1. Phishing Emails and Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Phishing emails and smishing are some of the most common types of scams. They are designed to trick you into revealing your personal information (like bank details, passwords, or credit card numbers). Scammers and fraudsters usually call you, claiming they are from legitimate sources, such as banks, government agencies, or e-commerce websites. Therefore, always be wary of unsolicited emails or SMS asking for your personal or financial details.

For Instance: Imagine receiving an email from your "bank". The email is regarding a suspicious activity on your account. The email forces you to click on a link and verify your information. The scammer will try to manipulate you. He will tell you to verify it urgently, or you will lose all your money. And the moment you click the link, BAMM- Here, all your money goes away from your account. Guess what? It was a phishing scam. The link leads to a fake (but real looking) website that is designed to steal your data. Scary right? Don't worry; in the next section, we will discuss how to report online scams in India in 2024!!!

2. Lottery and Prize Scams

These scams involve promises of huge lottery winnings or prizes. You’ll often be asked to pay a fee or share your personal information to claim your “winnings.”

3. Tech Support Scams

Scammers pose as technical support representatives from well-known companies (like Microsoft or Apple). They might call you or send pop-up messages on your computer, claiming that your device is infected with a virus. They’ll offer to fix the problem for a fee, but in reality, they’ll either install malware on your device. Through this, they will steal your personal information. Furthermore, they may promise you to provide additional benefits; however, remember, they are FAKE. 

4. Investment Scams

These types of scams promise high returns on your investment. They often involve complex schemes, such as cryptocurrency scams or Ponzi schemes. In fact, some agents will try to sell you insurance policies that are best for them (higher commission), totally forgetting about you. Therefore, make sure to get the policy that you need and the one that best suits your requirements. 

We recommend you go to PolicyBazaar. Search for many policies based on your needs and requirements. Then, compare them and tally them. Post that, call their customer care representatives. Ask them the hardest of the hardest questions and then go for buying a good insurance policy.

Note: As per our research, experience and reviews, we highly recommend you go for term insurance policies.

5. Fake Websites

Scammers create fake websites. These websites mimic legitimate ones to lure you into entering your sensitive information. Furthermore, these websites often have similar URLs, logos, and designs as the original sites. 

Case Study

6. Job Scams

These scams involve fake job offers or work-from-home opportunities. They might ask for an upfront payment for training or materials. In fact, in some cases, they will ask you to pay in advance for the payment fee of their portal. 

7. Romance Scams

Scammers & fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites to build relationships with their victims. Once they’ve gained your trust, they’ll start asking for money, often for emergencies or travel expenses. Not only that but if you have some sensitive information, they might blackmail you for it. They will ask you to pay an excessive amount of money, or they will threaten you by revealing your information or pictures.  

Scam Alert! If You See These Red Flags

New to the world of scammers? Will you be able to recognize them? No? Then how will you spot that you are being a victim of a massive scam or a fraud? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. 

Given below are some general red flags that you should be aware of. The potential red flags for cybercrime are:

1. Unsolicited Communication

The biggest red flag of cyber crime that you should know about is- “some messages that you never needed”. In case you receive emails, SMS messages, or phone calls from unknown sources, then make sure you avoid them. Additionally, do not engage with them, no matter what. 

2. Urgent Requests: How to Report Online Scam

Scammers are always in a hurry. They scam you because they are in a hurry to have more money. This is why they often create a sense of urgency in order to pressure you into acting quickly without thinking. Hence, if you receive a call that claims it is your bank, make sure you verify it the next day before proceeding with any requests. 

3. Requests for Personal Information

There are many scammers and fraudsters who will call you and ask you for personal information. This may include your PAN number, your account details, your IDs and, in some cases, even your pictures and signatures. Hence, make it a pact not to share your financial details with anyone you don’t trust completely.

4. Grammar and Spelling Errors

Many scam emails and messages are riddled with errors. When you receive a Government message or a message from a bank, remember it will always be accurate. So be a grammar Nazi and avoid such unruly messages. 

5. Promises of Unrealistic Rewards : How to Report Online Scam

Just like they are, scammers always make unrealistic promises. They not only promise you huge earnings, but they promise that within no time. Whenever you receive anything like that- Remember- It is nothing, not a Red Flag. 

6. Requests for Upfront Payment

Legitimate companies rarely ask for payment upfront. It is only scammers who create unwanted emergencies and ask for huge sums of payments. Hence, if someone asks you for payments- remember that it is a cybercrime. 

What to do if You Suspect a Scam?

Did you encounter any of these red flags? If yes, then now is the high time you should get into action. And if you don’t know how to report online scams, then don’t worry. We will learn that later. But first, we will learn about what you should do immediately as soon as you suspect a cyber crime or fraud-

1. Don’t panic: Firstly, do not panic. Panicking will only worsen the situation. In fact, panicking is not the answer to any problem. Therefore, instead of panicking, take a deep breath and assess the situation calmly.
2. Don’t interact: Secondly, as soon as you suspect that it is a cyber crime or it might be a cyber crime or fraud, then do not interact with it. Don’t click on links, download attachments, or respond to messages from suspicious sources.
3. Verify the source: Thirdly, if you receive an email or message that seems to be from a legitimate source, then contact the company directly to confirm its authenticity. Do not jump onto it and resort to what has been asked. Make sure to verify it first. 
4. Report the scam: Lastly, it is your responsibility to inform the authorities about the scam. Your one alert step will help save many more people from falling victim to this scam.

How to Report Online Scams in India

Online scams are unfortunately common, but you don’t have to stay silent if you’ve been targeted. India has several ways to report these crimes and get help. Here’s how to report online scams:

1. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal – How to Report Online Scam

This is the most important place to report any online scam. It’s the official website created by the Indian government to handle cybercrime reports. It’s easy to use. Here is how to report online scams on this portal:

• Go to the website: https://cybercrime.gov.in/
• Click on “File a Complaint” (or the equivalent button)
• Follow the steps to give details about the scam

Why is this important?

• Official Record: Reporting here creates an official record of the crime. This implies that in case of something happiness, there will be official records that you took swift action against it.
• Investigation: Your report helps the government track scams and catch the people behind them. This not only saves you, but hundreds of other people from falling prey to more such scams.

2. Local Cybercrime Cells

Many states and big cities have special police units just for cybercrimes. These are called cybercrime cells. They have officers who are experts in online scams and can give you more specific help. Hence, in case you think you are in trouble, here is how to report online scams in these cells:

• Find Your Cell: Search online for “cybercrime cell [your city/state]” to find contact information.
• Direct Reporting: You can go in person or contact them by phone or email. Either ways, you can access them and file a complaint for your scam. 

3. Your Local Police Station

Don’t forget about your regular police station! They can also take your report and might be able to get you in touch with someone who specializes in cybercrime.

• Easy Access: The police station is often the closest option for reporting in person.

4. National Helpline Number

India has a special helpline number just for cybercrimes. It’s 155260. Call this number if:

• You Need Urgent Help: If a scam just happened and you think you’re losing money.
• You Want to Prevent a Scam: If you suspect a scam but haven’t lost money yet.

What to Include in Your Report

No matter how you report the online scam, try to have this information ready:

• Scammer Details:
  • Email addresses they used
  • Phone numbers
  • Websites
  • Social media profiles
• The Scam Itself: Explain exactly what happened. Did they ask for money? What lies did they tell?
• Money Lost: If you paid them, how much did you lose? How did you pay?
• Personal Information: Did you share your name, address, bank details, or passwords?

Staying Safe Online

The internet is an amazing place. We use it to learn, work, shop, connect with friends, and have fun. But it’s important to be safe online, just like we are in the real world. Here are some tips to help you stay safe while enjoying all the internet has to offer:

Use Strong Password

Imagine your online accounts, like your house, and your passwords are the keys. You wouldn’t use a weak, easy-to-guess key for your house, right? The same goes for your online accounts.

• A strong password should be long, ideally at least 12 characters.
• Mix things up! Use a combination of uppercase & lowercase letters. Further, add numbers, and symbols.
• Avoid using easily guessable information like your name or birthday.
• It’s a good idea to use a different password for each of your online accounts. This way, if one account is compromised, the others remain safe.

Two-factor authentication (2FA)

Think of 2FA as a second lock on your door. Even if there is someone who manages to guess your password, they still need a second code to get in. This code is usually sent to your phone or generated by an app. Many online services, like email and social media, offer 2FA, and it’s a great way to add an extra layer of security.

Social Media Smarts

Sharing online is fun, but be careful what you share. Avoid posting personal information like your full name, address or details about your daily routines. These details could be used by people with bad intentions. Also, be mindful of who you accept as friends or followers.

Keep Your Software Updated

The companies that make your operating system, web browsers, and antivirus software regularly release updates. These updates include important security patches that fix weaknesses hackers could exploit. Hence, think of these updates like repairs to your house – they keep things secure.

Public Wi-Fi Caution

Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but also risky. Imagine sending a postcard – anyone along the way could read it. Similarly, information you send over public Wi-Fi, like passwords or credit card numbers and CVV numbers, could be intercepted by others. If you need to do sensitive activities like banking or shopping, it’s best to use a secure, private network.

Additional Tips:

• Be Careful: Avoid clicking on links in emails from unknown senders. They could contain harmful software.
• Watch Out for Scams: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is a scam. Therefore, be suspicious of emails or messages promising prizes or asking for personal information.
• Trust Your Gut: If a website looks strange or you feel uneasy, leave. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

By following these tips, you can protect yourself and your information, making the internet a safer place to explore and enjoy. Remember, staying safe is an ever-lasting process. Therefore, stay informed about the threats and adapt your online habits accordingly.

In Conclusion – How to Report Online Scam

Online scams are becoming more common, but you don’t have to be a victim. Be careful what you click on and who you trust online. Remember, scammers often promise things that sound too good to be true, like free money or prizes. Hence, if something seems fishy, it probably is. Moreover, if you think you’ve been scammed, report it right away to your local police or the agency in your area that deals with online crime. By speaking up, you can help catch the scammers and protect others.

We hope that now you are well aware of how to report online scams. Staying safe online is a team effort. We all need to be aware of the tricks scammers use and work together to stop them. The next time you’re online, remember to be cautious and think before you click. By being smart and staying informed, you can keep yourself and your information safe from online scams.

FAQs – How to Report Online Scam