New hacking threat alert from RBI: What you need to know to stay secure

In an era where cybercriminals continually evolve their tactics, the public faces an increasing threat of sophisticated scams. Many individuals have already fallen victim to these deceitful practices, suffering significant financial losses. In response, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and India Post have issued urgent warnings about a new scam involving fake courier services.

RBI's Alert on Fake Courier Scams

The Reserve Bank of India recently issued a warning through an SMS alert, cautioning the public against fraudulent calls, emails, and SMS messages. These scams often claim that illegal items have been found in a courier sent by the recipient. The RBI has strongly advised against panicking, clicking on unknown links, or sharing personal or financial information in response to such communications.

India Post does not ask for payments through SMS links. Beware of fraudulent messages and avoid clicking on suspicious links. Report any fraudulent calls, messages, or emails immediately at the Chakshu Portal: https://t.co/tXsFXeXZib. Stay vigilant! pic.twitter.com/0Z1huMkiwI

— India Post (@IndiaPostOffice) August 21, 2024

India Post's Advisory on Fraudulent Activities

India Post has also taken steps to alert the public about these fraudulent activities. Through their official channels, they have shared examples of scam messages, including screenshots containing fake links, urging people not to click on any unfamiliar links. India Post further clarified that they never request payments for courier deliveries and advised the public to be cautious about sharing personal information.

Protect Yourself: Tips to Avoid Scams

• Ignore Unknown SMS Links: India Post advises against opening SMS links from unknown numbers, even accidentally.
• No Payment Requests: India Post has reiterated that they never ask for money for courier deliveries.
• Report Fraudulent Messages: If you receive a fake SMS or call, report it immediately via the Government of India's Sanchar Saathi portal by providing details of the fraudulent message.
• Stay Vigilant: Always be alert to avoid falling victim to scams.