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Scams and fraud: India.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand · Philippines.

Moraph for Good · Fluent

Scams and fraud: India

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/scams-and-fraud

Every scam ends with a request to move money or share a code, and that is the moment to stop. This sheet has the warning signs, the first-hour steps, and where to report where you live.

The habit

  • Stop, hang up, and call back on a number you already have
  • Check new bank details by phone before you pay
  • Never read out a code you didn’t ask for

Warning signs

  • Contact out of the blue, with urgency or secrecy
  • A “safe account”, or new bank details
  • Guaranteed high returns, or fees to withdraw
  • Someone met online who needs money

The first hour

  • Stop paying, and call your bank on the number on your card
  • Change passwords you gave away, and keep the evidence
  • Report it to the police and the services below
  • Watch for recovery offers, and tell someone you trust

Signs of identity theft

  • Transactions or accounts you don’t recognize
  • Bills or debt letters for things you didn’t buy
  • Refused credit you would expect to get

In India

  • If you’ve lost money. If you have lost money to financial fraud or are a victim of cyber-crime, report it on the National Cyber Crime Helpline, 1930, or at cybercrime.gov.in. Tell your bank at once too; the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) says the longer you take to tell the bank, the higher the risk of loss.
  • Report scam calls and messages. The Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi portal has Chakshu, where you can report suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages, such as someone pretending to be the police or a government official, or KYC and payment messages claiming to be from a bank. Chakshu isn’t for reporting money you’ve lost; use 1930 for that.
  • Check for misuse of your identity. Sanchar Saathi’s “Know Mobile Connections in Your Name” lets you see how many mobile connections have been taken in your name and report any you didn’t take or don’t need.
  • Never share codes. RBI says officials from banks and financial institutions will never ask you to share confidential information. Don’t share your username, password, card details, CVV or OTP, and verify the identity of unknown callers.
  • If the bank doesn’t put it right. Complain to the bank first. If it doesn’t reply within 30 days, or you aren’t satisfied, you can complain free to the RBI Ombudsman through RBI’s Complaint Management System, generally within 90 days.

Official places to check:

  • Department of Telecommunications: sancharsaathi.gov.in
  • Reserve Bank of India: www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13543
  • Reserve Bank of India: rbikehtahai.rbi.org.in/dpaw.html
  • Reserve Bank of India: www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/FAQDisplay.aspx?Id=153

More free official help in India: moraph.org/commons/help/financial-literacy/in

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 20 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/scams-and-fraud