How to spot and avoid job scams?
 

Research the company: Check the company's website, social media pages, and reviews to verify if the company and job offer is legitimate.

Beware of unrealistic job postings: If the job posting promises an unusually high salary, easy hiring criteria, little effort or qualifications required, or a guarantee of employment, it is likely to be a scam.

Be wary of unsolicited emails: Be cautious of emails from companies you have not applied to, you have never heard of. Scammers use fake emails to trick job seekers into sharing their personal information.

Never pay for a job: Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay to get a job. If a company asks for payment for things like training, background checks, or equipment, it is most likely a scam.

Check for spelling and grammar mistakes: Poor grammar or spelling mistakes in the job posting or email is a sign that the posting may be fake.

Protect your personal information: Never share your sensitive information such as Aadhaar/PAN/Bank account details unless you are confident about the company's legitimacy.

Need help? 
 

Report any unauthorized transactions through internet/mobile banking app or contact the Bank at +44 7831 065557. Please note that you can also report complaints related to cyber frauds to National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call their helpline number1930.

To protect yourself against such frauds, please pay attention to the following points:

Do’s

• Only download apps from trusted sources such as official Google Play / Apple store.
• Ensure “Install from Unknown Sources” is disabled in phone settings.
• Install an effective mobile anti-malware/anti-virus software on your smartphone and keep it updated.
• Always verify app permissions and grant only relevant permissions.
• Keep your device updated with the latest security patches.
   

Don’ts

• Never Download suspicious apps or APK files received from unknown sources via SMS, WhatsApp, or Messenger.
• Do not click on unverified SMS/email link asking you to input Customer ID, A/c No., Mobile No., MPIN and OTP etc. on pretext of KYC/PAN updation/Unblocking Account etc.
• Do not save Credit/Debit card image, PIN, Passwords, and other banking details on your mobile device.
• Don't download screen-sharing apps like Anydesk, QuickSupport, TeamViewer, etc. on the insistence of unknown callers as this may lead to fraudulent transactions using your account.
   

Be Cautious! Your vigilance is crucial in safeguarding you and your account from frauds.
 

Need help? 
 

Report any unauthorized transactions through internet/mobile banking app or contact the Bank at +44 7831 065557. Please note that you can report cyber frauds related complaints to National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) or call their helpline number 1930.

In this Modus Operandi, scammers create a fake profile, often using stolen images or publicly available photographs of trusted individuals, like friends or family members. Then AI-powered deepfake technology is used to create highly realistic video calls on social media/other online platforms to impersonate someone the victim knows, such as a friend, family member, or colleague to deceive them into thinking it to be a genuine conversation. Often, a sense of urgency is created, and the victim is requested to transfer money. Scamsters may also use AI-generated voices to mimic the voice of the impersonated person, enhancing the impression of authenticity during the video call resulting in financial loss to victims.

In order to protect yourself against deepfake scams, here are few important tips you should follow:

• Always verify the identity of the caller from your side, especially when there is unexpected urgent requests for money or personal information, even if they appear to come from someone you know.
• Look for odd behavioural patterns or inconsistencies, such as strange gestures, voice tone, or replies that do not match the person's usual behaviour.
• Observe the verbal or contextual signs contained within the video or audio. Grammatical problems, unusual requests, or out-of-context subjects can all be warning signs of a deepfake scam.
• Stay vigilant on receiving video calls from unknown numbers.
• Be cautious about what you share on social media and other online platforms and set your profiles to “friends and family” only, because scammers can use publicly available information against you.

Need help? 
 

Report any unauthorized transactions through internet/mobile banking app or contact the Bank at +44 7831 065557. Please note that you can report cyber frauds related complaints to National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) or call their helpline number 1930.

Identifying fake advertisements

• Advertisement with availability of Loans with attractive interest rate or features, Bank Guarantee, Letter of Credit etc. that use the logo/seals of reputed Banks/Financial Institutions and asking for a pre-payment on the pretext of various regular charges for the product or service, such as processing fees or the first EMI
• Advertisements can also show copy of fake Cheques, Demand Drafts or loan sanction letters and ask for similar kind of pre-payments
• A call or an SMS from an impersonated sender with similar attractive messages
• An advertisement with a fake QR code/call/SMS with lucrative offers like exponentially high return on investments, quick money or jobs

Staying safe from the threat

• Verify the authenticity of the advertiser, beyond the apparent marks like logo, seal or copies of documents 
• Do not make any payment or share your credentials without duly verifying the authenticity
• Never respond to advertisements, calls, SMS or emails from unknown sources containing any QR code, links or attachments

Need help?

To get in touch/Report a fraud please call +44 7831 065557

Please note that you can also report complaints related to cyber frauds at National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of Ministry of Home Affairs at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call the helpline number 1930.

Identifying this scam
 

The scammers use WhatsApp/SMS to send a message offering a part-time job opportunity with promises of daily/higher earnings just by liking/subscribing to videos/channels. Initially, scammers promise and make small payments/returns to lure victims, but then ask them to invest larger amounts in exchange for greater earnings/returns. When the victim transfers a large amount to scamsters, they stop responding.

Staying safe from this threat
 

Here are some things you should keep in mind in order to avoid such scams:

• Don't respond to texts or calls from unknown numbers offering high/daily earnings or returns that seem too good to be true.
• Never share your personal details, confidential banking information, or transfer money to unknown individuals.
• Keep an eye out for emails/messages sent by unknown sources asking you to click on suspicious links or download apps.

Need help?
 

To contact us/report a fraud, please call +44 7831 065557

Please note that you can also report complaints related to cyber fraud at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call the helpline number 1930.

Identifying the fraud
 

In this, the impersonator pretends to be a senior management or a high-ranking official and makes an urgent request to access critical information or have some money transferred from the target. He/she may use the photograph of senior management official as the profile picture, along with name and official designation to gain more trust and strongly influence the target to perform a transactional action like purchasing a voucher or e-Gift cards, share a redemption code and alike.

Staying safe from the fraud
 

Here are some signs to watch out for and flag them ‘red’

• WhatsApp message received from some number that might ‘look’ authentic but has no prior association with the recipient, or from some random number
• Sender impersonates a senior official/higher-ranked official of the organisation and pretends to be either busy or expresses his/her inability to carry out a financial transaction due to certain constraint
• Sender requests the recipient to either transfer money or buy gift vouchers on his/her behalf and repeatedly asserts that the request is urgent
• At times, the sender may also sound intimidating and curt, keep his/her call short and quick to create a sense of fear and urgency among the recipients
• When called back, the sender refuses to answer and interacts only via messages, stating he/she is currently unable to take the call due to some other urgencies

Need help?
 

To contact us/report a fraud, please call +44 7831 065557

Please note that you can also report complaints related to cyber fraud at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call the helpline number 1930

Identifying the fraud
 

There is a well-thought modus operandi behind this. At first the caller poses as an authorised representative of a known courier company and informs the target that a parcel containing drugs in his/her name has been seized by the Narcotics Control officials. After this, now posing as an official from the Customs Deptt. or the Narcotics Cell of Police/State Establishments the fraudsters make a second call to the same target and make the ‘case’ sound genuine. In this call he/she threatens the targets with strong and imminent legal actions like arrests and coerces them to share their confidential information or ask them to transfer a substantial sum of money in order to avoid legal actions.

Staying safe from the fraud
 

Here are a few tips to safeguard yourself against it

• Do not trust the caller’s name or picture reflecting in their caller ID/WhatsApp. It may be manipulated to pose as Law Enforcement officials
• Do not share any confidential information, transfer money or let them gain access to your device
• Never click on suspicious links received in unsolicited emails or SMS as they may take you to fake websites or install malicious software into your device
• Never download screensharing apps like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, QuickSupport and alike on your mobile or other device on request or insistence of unknown callers

Need help?
 

To contact us/report a fraud, please call +44 7831 065557

Please note that you can also report complaints related to cyber fraud at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call the helpline number 1930

Here are few things you should keep in mind in order to avoid such scams:
 

1. Legitimate e-challan include detailed ownership, vehicle, and violation information with photos, whereas fake ones often contain only a random challan number and a payment link.
2. Verify your traffic challan dues and make payments through the official and secured website i.e., https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in/
3. Never click on any unsolicited link provided in these messages or download any third-party application without verifying the source.
4. Contact the police helpline for verification if you have any doubts about the authenticity of an e-challan.

Need help?
 

To contact us/report a fraud, please call +44 7831 065557

Please note that you can also report complaints related to cyber fraud at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call the helpline number 1930

To protect yourself against these voice scams, please follow below tips:
 

1. Do not believe calls received from unknown numbers, claiming to be your friend or family member.
2. Do not trust the caller ID information displayed. Scammers can spoof the phone number of any person or organization.
3. Do not provide any sensitive information over the phone, unless you initiated the call and verified the identity of the recipient.
4. Do not press any buttons or follow any instructions from an automated voice message.
5. Use questions and past memories to verify if the caller is genuine, even if the voice matches the person.
6. Limit your social media posts to friends and family to prevent others from getting access to your audio.

Need help?
 

Report any unauthorized transactions through internet/mobile banking app or contact the Bank at +44 7831 065557. Please also note that you can also report complaints related to cyber frauds at National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of Ministry of Home Affairs at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call their helpline number 1930.

Modus Operandi of the Scam:

• The fraudster calls the telecom subscriber and pretends to be a customer service representative or technical support staff from their telecom service provider.
• The fraudster states that either there is a problem with their SIM card or there is some issue related to network or service quality and they need to dial a specific code to fix the problem. This code usually starts with *401# followed by a mobile number.
• After doing so unconditional call forwarding is activated on their mobile number and all incoming calls etc. are forwarded to the fraudster's mobile number.
• The fraudster then receives all incoming calls and can be used for fraud.
   

How to protect yourself from such scams: Things to keep in mind

• Exercise caution when receiving calls from unknown numbers, especially those claiming to be from tech support or service providers.
• Do not share any confidential information, transfer money or let them gain access to your device
• Telecom service providers never ask their subscribers to dial *401#.
• Check your mobile phone settings for call forwarding and disable immediately in case it is enabled. Use the facility only when it is required.
• Refrain from dialing codes provided by unknown callers, especially those involving call forwarding or other settings.
• Never reveal personal details, account information, or passwords to anyone over the phone, unless you're certain of their legitimacy.

Need help? 
 

Report any unauthorized transactions through internet/mobile banking app or contact the Bank at +44 7831 065557. Please also note that you can also report complaints related to cyber frauds at National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of Ministry of Home Affairs at https://cybercrime.gov.inin or call their helpline number 1930.

How does Quishing work

The scammer will generally ask the victim to scan a QR code on some pretext, which redirects them to a fake website created by scammers. This website can be a replica of a genuine e-commerce or bank website, asking for personal information/bank details of the victim. When the victim enters this information, the same becomes accessible to the scammer, who uses it to carry out unauthorised transactions from victim’s bank account. Some QR codes also contain malicious files/malware, which gives access to all the information in stored in victims’ phone to the scammer.

To protect yourself against these scams, please follow below tips:

• Never scan a QR code sent by unfamiliar or untrustworthy sources.
  
• Be extremely wary if a QR code takes you to a site that asks for personal information, login credentials or payment. Never share sensitive information via QR codes.
• Don't click on unfamiliar links that appear after scanning a QR code.
• Verify the preview of the QR code's URL before opening it to see if it appears legitimate. Make sure the website uses ‘https’ and has a trusted domain.
• Don't scan every QR code you see. Be cautious, especially if it contains offers that are too good to be true.
• Download a reputable QR scanner app that can delete malicious links and warn you before you scan them.
• Scanning QR codes on social media platforms should also be avoided as they may contain malicious files.

Need help? 
 

Report any unauthorized transactions through internet/mobile banking app or contact the Bank at +44 7831 065557. Please also note that you can also report complaints related to cyber frauds at National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of Ministry of Home Affairs at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call their helpline number 1930.

These scammers may impersonate stock broking firms, financial advisors, or even regulatory bodies , such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) etc., by using their names & logos to gain your trust. Once the victim click on the advertisement, they are directed to an unknown WhatsApp/Telegram group and are lured to invest by offering them free trading tips to buy and sell stocks, IPO allotment etc. After a few days, the victim is asked to install trading applications provided by the fraudsters for earning huge profits. This application/platform displays fake profit, IPO allotment, investments and unrealistic returns, fostering victims trust. When victims try to withdraw their profit, they are told that it is possible only once their profit/earnings exceed a certain threshold and trusting the same, the victims continue to invest, thereby leading them further into the scam and losing their hard-earned money.

Tips to stay safe against these scams:

• Always verify the sender before acting on any email or a text message from unknown sources.
  
• Before entering any confidential information on your stockbroking platform, reverify its authenticity. All legitimate financial institutions and regulatory bodies have official domains and email addresses.
• Beware of investment schemes assuring abnormally high returns or offers that sound ‘too good to be true’.
• Refrain from clicking on suspicious links/advertisement from untrustworthy sources.
• Beware of unsolicited investment tips received on social media.
• Do your proper research before investing money and don’t fall prey to Investment opportunities from unknown people or companies.
• Refrain from dealing with unregulated financial entities operating on social media.

Need help? 
 

Report any unauthorized transactions through internet/mobile banking app or contact the Bank at +44 7831 065557. Please note that you can also report complaints related to cyber frauds to National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://cybercrime.gov.in  or call their helpline number 1930.