Be Cautious of ‘Your Vehicle Challan Has Been Issued’ Scam: Protect Your Bank Account from Cyber Frauds
Cyber Scammers Exploit Vehicle Owners with Fake Traffic Challans
As digital services become increasingly prevalent, cybercriminals are adapting their tactics to target unsuspecting individuals. A recent wave of fraudulent messages, purporting to be from traffic authorities, has been identified as a significant threat to vehicle owners. These messages claim that a traffic challan has been issued against the recipient’s vehicle and demand immediate payment through a provided link.
The Scam
The messages often appear authentic, containing specific details such as vehicle numbers, dates, and fine amounts. This has led to many individuals being tricked into clicking on the suspicious link, which redirects them to a fake website designed to mimic official government portals.
Consequences
Once on the fake website, victims are prompted to enter sensitive information, including their vehicle number, mobile number, and sometimes even OTP or bank details. In many cases, this has resulted in the emptying of bank accounts.
Precautions
Cybersecurity experts stress the importance of verifying information related to traffic challans solely through official government portals or apps. Vehicle owners are advised to check their challan status using the mParivahan app or the official Parivahan Sewa website.
Avoiding the Scam
To avoid falling prey to these scams, individuals should exercise extreme caution when receiving such messages. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of the message and check the challan status by entering the vehicle number only on the official website. Under no circumstances should OTP, bank details, or personal information be shared on unknown or unverified websites.
Conclusion
Awareness and vigilance are key in preventing these types of cyber scams. By being mindful of the tactics employed by cybercriminals and taking the necessary precautions, individuals can protect themselves from financial loss and identity theft.
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