Net banking and digital payment platforms have made financial transactions faster and more convenient than ever before. However, they have also opened new doors for cyber criminals who are constantly devising new tricks to steal your hard-earned money. From phishing websites and fake banking apps to SIM swap fraud and OTP theft — the risks are serious and growing every day. Akhil Bhartiya Cyber Suraksha Sangathan urges every net banking and UPI user in India to follow these essential safety practices to protect their accounts and their money at all times.

• ✅Always type your bank's official website address directly into your browser — never reach your banking portal through a search engine result, an email link, or a link sent via WhatsApp or SMS.
• ✅Before logging in, always check that the website address begins with "https://" and shows a padlock icon in the browser address bar — this confirms the site is secure and genuine.
• ⚠️Be extremely careful of fake banking websites that look exactly like your real bank's website but have a slightly different URL — for example, "hdfcbanks.in" instead of "hdfcbank.com".
• ✅Bookmark your bank's official website in your browser and use only that saved bookmark every time you log in to your net banking account.

• ✅Create a strong net banking password that includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters — make it at least 10 characters long.
• 🚫Never use your name, date of birth, mobile number, or simple sequences like 123456 or ABCDEF as your net banking password — these are the first combinations a hacker will try.
• ✅Change your net banking password at least every 3 months and immediately if you suspect that your account may have been compromised in any way.
• 🚫Never use the same password for net banking and other accounts such as email, social media, or shopping sites — each account must have its own unique, strong password.

• 🚫Never share your OTP (One Time Password) with anyone — not with a person claiming to be a bank employee, a government official, a customer care agent, or even a family member calling from an unknown number.
• ⚠️An OTP is generated specifically to authorise a transaction that you are making — if you receive an OTP without initiating any transaction yourself, someone is attempting fraud on your account. Report immediately.
• 🚫Never read your OTP aloud in a public place — fraudsters may be listening nearby to use it before you do.
• ✅Enable SMS and email alerts for every transaction on your account so that you are instantly notified of any activity — report any unrecognised transaction to your bank immediately.

• ✅Download your bank's mobile banking app or UPI app only from the official Google Play Store or Apple App Store — never from a link sent via SMS, WhatsApp, or email.
• 🚫Remember: receiving money on UPI never requires you to enter your PIN. If a caller tells you to enter your UPI PIN to receive money — it is a fraud. Your PIN is only needed when you are sending money.
• 🚫Never scan a QR code sent by a stranger who claims it will credit money into your account — QR codes are only used to collect money from you, never to send money to you.
• ✅Set a daily UPI and net banking transaction limit as per your normal usage needs — this limits the amount a fraudster can transfer even if they temporarily gain access to your account.

• ✅Use net banking only on your personal, trusted device — never log into your bank account from a public computer, an internet café, a friend's phone, or any shared device.
• ✅Always log out completely from your net banking session after every use — do not simply close the browser tab or app, as your session may remain active.
• ✅Install a reputed antivirus and internet security software on your computer and smartphone and keep it updated — malware and keyloggers can silently steal your banking credentials.
• 🚫Never allow your browser to save your net banking username or password — always type your credentials fresh each time you log in.

• 🚫Never use public Wi-Fi — in cafes, airports, hotels, shopping malls, or railway stations — to access your net banking, UPI apps, or any financial website.
• ⚠️Public Wi-Fi networks can be monitored or set up by hackers to intercept all data you send and receive, including your banking credentials and OTPs.
• ✅Always use your personal mobile data (4G/5G) for all banking transactions when you are away from home — it is far more secure than any public network.
• ✅If you must use a shared network, use a trusted VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet connection before performing any financial activity.

• ⚠️SIM Swap Fraud: Criminals port your mobile number to a new SIM without your knowledge, intercept all your OTPs, and drain your account. Immediately call your bank if your phone loses network signal unexpectedly for a long period.
• ⚠️Vishing (Voice Phishing): Fraudsters call pretending to be bank officials, TRAI, or cybercrime police — claiming your account is blocked or under investigation — and ask for your credentials to "resolve the issue."
• ⚠️Remote Access Fraud: Criminals convince you to install apps like AnyDesk or TeamViewer claiming to help you with a banking problem — this gives them full control of your phone and access to your banking app.
• ⚠️Fake Refund / KYC Update Fraud: You receive a call or message saying you will get a refund or your KYC must be updated urgently — and are asked to share personal details, OTP, or install an app to process the request.

• ✅If you notice any unauthorised transaction in your account, immediately call your bank's 24×7 helpline to block your account and reverse the transaction — time is critical in fraud recovery.
• ✅Call the National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930 immediately after any net banking or UPI fraud — early reporting significantly increases the chances of freezing the fraudulent transaction and recovering your money.
• ✅File a detailed complaint at cybercrime.gov.in — include your bank account details, transaction reference numbers, and all screenshots or evidence related to the fraud.
• ✅For immediate assistance, guidance, and support in reporting cyber fraud, call our 24×7 Helpline: 9311159707 — Akhil Bhartiya Cyber Suraksha Sangathan is always here to help you.