Yamunanagar Police issues a cyber safety advisory warning citizens against QR code scams and fraudulent digital payment requests.
Yamunanagar Police Intensifies Cyber Awareness Campaign; Public Advised to Report Online Fraud Immediately on 1930
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
With cybercrime and online financial fraud continuing to pose challenges in the digital era, Yamunanagar Police has launched a special awareness campaign to educate citizens about common cyber threats and preventive measures. Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal has appealed to residents to remain vigilant while using digital banking, UPI payments, online shopping and social media platforms.
The SP said that awareness and caution remain the strongest safeguards against cyber fraud. He urged citizens who become victims of any form of online financial fraud to report the matter without delay by calling the national cyber helpline 1930. Complaints can also be submitted through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
The police department has been making efforts to educate residents about the changing methods adopted by cybercriminals. Officials said that as digital services have become an integral part of everyday life, fraudsters are also developing new techniques to target unsuspecting users.
Cybercriminals Exploiting Digital Convenience
SP Kamaldeep Goyal said that online shopping, digital banking and UPI transactions have witnessed rapid growth in recent years. While these facilities have made financial transactions faster and more convenient, they have also created new opportunities for cybercriminals to deceive users.
Fraudsters frequently use attractive offers and misleading messages to create a sense of urgency among potential victims. People may receive messages or links claiming to offer heavy discounts, special festival deals, lotteries, prizes or other financial benefits.
During the upcoming festival season, citizens are particularly advised to remain cautious about such offers. Cybercriminals may use the festive shopping environment to circulate fake promotional links, websites, messages and advertisements designed to obtain personal or banking information.
The SP said that people often click on suspicious links because of greed, curiosity or urgency. Once a user enters confidential information on a fraudulent website or application, the information can potentially be accessed by cybercriminals, resulting in financial losses.
Do Not Share Banking Credentials
Police have advised citizens not to trust unknown calls, messages, emails or social media links without verification. The public has also been warned against sharing sensitive financial information with anyone.
According to the advisory, citizens should never disclose their bank account details, ATM information, CVV, OTP, UPI PIN or passwords to another person. The police department has emphasized that banks and authorised institutions do not ask customers to disclose such confidential financial credentials over phone calls.
Citizens receiving calls claiming to be from banks or financial institutions should independently verify the caller before taking any action. They should avoid clicking on links received through suspicious messages and should contact the concerned bank or institution through its official communication channels.
The police have also advised users to remain cautious while using social media platforms and messaging services, particularly when receiving links from unknown numbers or accounts.
Exercise Caution While Shopping Online
With the festival season approaching, online shopping activity is expected to increase. Police have therefore advised consumers to use only genuine and secure websites and applications for online purchases.
Consumers should be particularly careful with websites offering unusually high discounts or seemingly unbelievable deals. Fraudsters may create websites that resemble genuine shopping platforms and use them to collect payment information or personal details.
Before making an online payment, users should verify the website, seller and payment page. They should also avoid making payments through unfamiliar links received through messages, emails or social media.
Police said that attractive discounts, lottery claims, prizes and urgent payment requests should not be treated as genuine merely because they appear in a professionally designed message or advertisement.
1930 Is Critical After Cyber Fraud
SP Kamaldeep Goyal stressed that the period immediately after a cyber fraud is extremely important. Victims should not wait or attempt to negotiate with the fraudster before reporting the incident.
The police have urged victims to call 1930 as soon as they become aware of the fraud. Early reporting can improve the possibility of initiating action to freeze or secure the defrauded amount before it is transferred further.
Victims should preserve all available evidence, including transaction details, screenshots, phone numbers, messages, emails, links and other information related to the fraudulent activity. Such material can assist investigating agencies in tracing the transaction and identifying those responsible.
The public can also report cybercrime through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
Youth Asked to Help Protect Families
The SP has made a special appeal to young people to play an active role in spreading awareness about cyber safety. Since younger users are often familiar with digital applications and online payment systems, they can help family members and elderly relatives understand potential cyber risks.
Young people have been encouraged to explain basic safety precautions to parents, grandparents and other members of their communities. The police said that collective awareness can significantly reduce the chances of people falling victim to common online scams.
The awareness campaign is aimed at ensuring that residents understand that cyber safety begins with simple precautions. Avoiding unknown links, protecting confidential credentials, verifying financial requests and reporting fraud immediately can help reduce the impact of cybercrime.
Police Appeal for Responsible Digital Use
Yamunanagar Police has reiterated that cybercriminals continuously change their methods and therefore citizens must remain cautious even when a message or offer appears convincing.
The police have advised people to avoid making decisions in haste, especially when money, personal information or banking credentials are involved. Any unexpected request for an OTP, UPI PIN, password or card information should immediately raise suspicion.
SP Kamaldeep Goyal said that awareness is one of the most effective tools available to citizens against cyber fraud. The police department will continue its awareness initiatives to educate residents about emerging forms of online crime and ways to protect themselves.
The police have appealed to citizens to share information about suspicious online activities with the appropriate authorities and to encourage others to follow basic cyber safety practices.
With digital transactions becoming increasingly common, responsible online behaviour and timely reporting are essential to reducing cybercrime-related losses. The police have once again urged citizens to stop, verify and think before clicking or making a payment, particularly during the upcoming festival shopping season.
