Scam safety
Scams move fast. The sooner you freeze the money trail, the better the chance of recovery.
Applies across India. Civic numbers may differ by city. Last reviewed 18 August 2026.
If it just happened
- Call 1930 (national cyber-fraud helpline) within the first hour — ideally within 10 minutes.
- Freeze your bank account or card via your bank's app/helpline.
- Keep every screenshot, SMS, and payment receipt. Don't delete the chat.
- Do not call the scammer back. Do not share OTPs, ever.
Reduce the risk
- No real agency (police, RBI, courier, electricity board) collects money over WhatsApp video calls.
- Verify UPI payee names before confirming. Wrong name = stop.
- Treat any 'your parcel is stuck' or 'KYC expired' call as fake until proven otherwise.
Report and follow up
- File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with all screenshots.
- Also file an FIR at the nearest police station; cyber-cell will coordinate.
- Dispute the transaction with your bank in writing within 3 days for zero-liability protection.
This is general public-safety information for India, last reviewed 18 August 2026. It is not legal, medical, or emergency advice. Always follow official instructions from police, hospitals, and the numbers above. Absence of reports is never safety.