Senior citizens are among the most frequently targeted victims of cyber crime in India. Fraudsters deliberately prey on elderly individuals because they may be less familiar with digital technology, more trusting in nature, and often hold substantial savings. From fake customer care calls and KYC fraud to pension scams and online lottery tricks — the threats are real and growing every day. Akhil Bhartiya Cyber Suraksha Sangathan urges every senior citizen and their family members to stay informed, stay alert, and never hesitate to seek help.

• ⚠️Fraudsters frequently call elderly people pretending to be from banks, TRAI, UIDAI, Income Tax, or the Supreme Court — threatening account suspension, Aadhaar deactivation, or arrest.
• 🚫Never share your OTP, ATM PIN, CVV number, net banking password, or Aadhaar OTP with anyone over the phone — no legitimate institution ever asks for these.
• 🚫Do not trust phone numbers found through Google search for customer care — these are often fake numbers posted by fraudsters to steal your information.
• ✅Always use the official customer care number printed on the back of your debit/credit card or on your bank's official passbook to contact your bank.

• 🚫Never allow anyone — including family members you are not fully sure about — to access your bank account, make transactions, or change your registered mobile number without your clear knowledge and consent.
• ✅Regularly check your bank statements and passbook for any unexpected transactions. Report any suspicious deduction to your bank branch immediately.
• 🚫Do not keep large amounts of money in accounts linked to your mobile phone — use a separate savings account for daily UPI transactions and keep your main account separate.
• ✅Ask your bank to set a daily transaction limit on your account and enable SMS alerts for every debit — this helps you catch fraud immediately.

• 🚫If you receive a message or call saying you have won a lottery, lucky draw, or cash prize — it is always a scam. Ignore it completely and do not respond.
• 🚫Never pay any "processing fee," "tax," or "customs charge" to claim a prize — legitimate lottery winnings never require upfront payment from the winner.
• ⚠️Be extremely cautious of WhatsApp investment groups or online trading schemes that promise very high returns — these are almost always fraud schemes targeting senior citizens.
• ✅Before investing money anywhere online, consult a trusted family member or a SEBI-registered financial advisor — never invest based solely on advice from a stranger online or over the phone.

• ⚠️Fraudsters call pretending to be from Microsoft, Google, or your internet provider, claiming your computer has a virus and asking you to install a remote access app.
• 🚫Never install any app — such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or QuickSupport — on the instruction of someone who called you without warning. This gives them full control of your phone or computer.
• 🚫Do not click on pop-up warnings on your computer or phone that say your device is infected — these are fake alerts designed to trick you into calling fraudsters.
• ✅If you think your device has a genuine problem, take it to a trusted local technician or ask a family member for help — never trust unsolicited calls about your device.

• 🚫Remember: receiving money through UPI never requires you to enter your PIN. If someone asks you to enter your PIN to receive money — it is a fraud, and money will be deducted from your account instead.
• 🚫Never scan a QR code sent by a stranger promising to send you money — QR codes are used to collect money, not send it.
• ✅Use UPI and mobile banking only on your personal phone with a screen lock — never use a shared or public device for financial transactions.
• ✅If you are not comfortable using digital banking, visit your bank branch in person for all important transactions — there is no obligation to use online banking.

• 🚫Do not click on links in emails or SMS messages that ask you to verify your bank account, Aadhaar, PAN card, or any personal details — these are phishing attacks.
• 🚫Never open email attachments from unknown senders — these may contain viruses or malware that can steal your personal and financial information.
• ✅If you receive an email that appears to be from your bank or a government department asking you to take urgent action, call your bank branch directly to verify before doing anything.
• ✅Look carefully at the sender's email address — fraudsters often use addresses that look almost correct but have small spelling differences (e.g., support@hdfcbanks.in instead of hdfcbank.com).

• ✅Set a screen lock — PIN, fingerprint, or pattern — on your smartphone so that no one can access it if it is lost or stolen.
• ✅Use strong passwords for your email and social media accounts — avoid using your name, date of birth, or simple sequences like 1234. Write passwords down safely at home if needed.
• 🚫Do not share your phone's OTP with anyone — not even with someone claiming to be from your bank, a government office, or a courier company.
• ✅Keep your phone's software and apps regularly updated — updates fix security weaknesses that fraudsters can exploit to gain access to your device.

• ✅Share any suspicious call, message, or online interaction with a trusted family member or friend immediately — do not feel embarrassed. Fraudsters are skilled professionals and anyone can be targeted.
• ✅If you have lost money to a cyber fraud, immediately call the National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930 — the sooner you report, the higher the chance of recovering your money.
• ✅File an online complaint at cybercrime.gov.in or visit your nearest police station or cyber cell with all evidence — screenshots, call records, and bank statements.
• ✅For immediate guidance and support in Hindi or English, call our 24×7 Helpline: 9311159707 — Akhil Bhartiya Cyber Suraksha Sangathan is always here to assist you.