Police advise people to beware of fake offers, gifts, online shopping scams, ticket-booking fraud and deceptive digital payment requests during the festive season.
YAMUNANAGAR / PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Festivals are a time for sharing happiness, shopping, travelling and spending time with family. However, the festive rush can also create opportunities for cybercriminals to target unsuspecting people through fake offers, gift messages, online shopping traps, ticket and hotel booking scams, food delivery fraud and deceptive digital payment requests.
Police Superintendent Kamaldeep Goyal, IPS, has appealed to the public to remain alert and verify online offers and messages before responding. He said cyber fraudsters try to exploit people’s haste, greed and trust, making it important to check the authenticity of any suspicious call, message, link, offer or request for payment.
Police have advised residents not to be tempted by unusually cheap deals or discounts advertised through unknown sources. Instead of opening shopping links circulated on social media or WhatsApp, consumers should use trusted websites and official applications. Offers that appear too good to be true should be treated with caution, particularly when they require an advance payment or ask for sensitive personal or banking details.
Be Cautious of Fake Offers and Festival Gifts
Messages claiming “You have won a prize worth lakhs” or “You have received a festival gift” can be used to lure people into clicking fraudulent links, sharing personal information or transferring money. Police have urged people not to open unknown links or pay a fee to claim an unexpected prize or gift unless the offer has been independently verified through an official source.
People should also be careful with festive greetings such as “Happy Diwali”, “Festival Gift” and “Free Voucher” when they arrive with links from unknown senders. These links may direct users to fake websites or encourage them to install harmful applications. Residents have been advised not to download APK files or remote-access apps at the request of unknown callers or online contacts.
Fake customer-care numbers are another risk. A number appearing in a search result, social media post or message should not automatically be considered genuine. If assistance is needed, users should obtain the customer-care contact details directly from the company’s official website or application and avoid sharing account details with unverified representatives.
Never Share OTPs, UPI PINs or Passwords
The police have made it clear that people should never disclose one-time passwords (OTPs), UPI PINs, ATM PINs or passwords to anyone claiming to represent a bank, police department, customer-care service or another organisation. Such information is confidential and should not be shared over calls, messages or links sent by unknown people.
Police have also highlighted a key precaution about QR codes and digital payments: receiving money does not ordinarily require a person to scan a QR code or enter a UPI PIN. Scanning a QR code and entering a UPI PIN are generally steps used to authorise a payment. If someone asks a person to scan a code or enter a PIN to receive a refund, prize, gift or payment, the request should be treated as suspicious and independently checked.
People should not follow instructions from callers who pressure them to act immediately or claim that an account, booking or offer will be blocked unless payment is made. Any request for money, banking credentials or remote access to a phone should be verified through an official channel before taking action.
Check Recipient and Amount Before Paying
Digital payments: Look, think and then pay. The district police have urged residents to follow this principle whenever they make a digital transaction. Before confirming payment, users should carefully check the recipient’s name and the amount shown on the screen.
A rushed transaction or payment sent to the wrong recipient can cause financial loss. People should take time to review the details, avoid making payments under pressure and confirm booking or purchase information through the official service provider. A genuine-looking message or caller should never be treated as proof that a payment request is legitimate.
Online shopping, food delivery, travel and hotel reservations can all involve digital payments during festivals. Users should check the website or application they are using, avoid unknown payment links and retain transaction details where appropriate. If a payment request arrives unexpectedly, it is safer to pause and verify it rather than act out of fear of missing an offer.
Protect Personal and Travel Information
Police have advised people not to share sensitive personal, banking or travel information publicly on social media. Posts revealing travel plans, dates when a home will remain empty or private financial details may expose individuals and families to avoidable risks.
Residents should review what they share online and be careful about information requested by unknown accounts. Suspicious links, unexpected attachments and requests to install unfamiliar applications should be avoided. If a message appears to come from a known person but asks for money or sensitive information, the recipient should verify the request directly with that person using a trusted contact method.
NEWS NOTE
Do not share OTPs, UPI PINs, ATM PINs or passwords. Never scan a QR code or enter a UPI PIN simply because an unknown person says it is necessary to receive money. Verify suspicious requests through official channels.
Share Cyber Safety Advice With Family
Goyal said people should not overlook cyber safety while celebrating festivals. He emphasised that a minute of caution could help protect savings accumulated over months. He appealed to residents to share the safety message with family members, friends, relatives and WhatsApp groups so that more people could recognise suspicious requests and avoid online fraud.
The advisory stresses that simple precautions can reduce exposure to common scams: verify offers before responding, shop through official platforms, protect confidential banking information, check the recipient and amount before paying, and avoid installing applications at the request of strangers.
As festive activity increases, the police have urged residents to remain alert rather than let excitement or urgency dictate their decisions. A cautious approach to links, calls, gifts and payments can help families protect their money and personal information while enjoying the celebrations.
PEN OF DEMOCRACY
NEWS DESK
A Voice for the People
