These days, cases of cyber fraud are being reported from across the country. Now, a new case has emerged from Ahmedabad. A woman fell victim to fraud while trying to get a refund for vegetables ordered from a quick commerce platform. Let’s find out what the whole story is.
What happened was that a woman ordered ₹24 worth of eggplants from the quick commerce platform Zepto. She had ordered thin eggplants, but when the delivery boy brought the vegetables, she received large ones. When she tried to complain for a refund, it proved costly.
Customer Care Turns Out to Be a Fraud
Instead of searching for the company’s customer care number on the app, the woman searched for it on Google. She called the number and provided all the information requested. However, she was unaware that she was talking to fraudsters. She was then asked to open a link that appeared on her phone. She was told she would need to open it and provide her bank details to receive a refund. When she did so, a total of ₹87,000 was withdrawn from her bank account in two transactions.
When the woman realized she had been defrauded, she filed a complaint at the nearby police station. The local police are currently investigating the matter. Now, the important thing is what you should do to prevent yourself from falling victim to such fraud. First, you should know that no company’s helpline or customer care will ever ask you for personal information like your account number, OTP, password, or PIN. Remember that if someone is asking for this information over the phone, it’s a sign of malicious intent.
Some important precautions to avoid this type of fraud:
- Don’t search for numbers on Google: Never search for customer care numbers on Google. Instead, visit the official website or app of the bank, e-commerce, or quick commerce company and contact them using the number or email ID provided in the support section. 2. Returns and Refunds Through the App: If you ordered an item through an app and wish to return it, the app provides options to initiate a return and receive a refund. You don’t need to contact an external number for this. Once the return is complete, the refund will automatically be credited to your bank account or e-wallet. You can check the refund status in the app.
- What to do if you become a victim of fraud: If you become a victim of this type of cyber fraud, call your bank’s helpline as soon as possible and have your account blocked. Also, file a transaction dispute. You can also immediately lodge a complaint by calling the 24×7 National Cyber Helpline at 1930. The sooner you take these steps, the greater the chance of preventing fraudulent transactions.
- Inform the Cyber Police: You can also file a complaint online on the portal. It’s also important to file a written FIR with the Cyber Branch of your nearest police station.
Disclaimer: This content has been adapted and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made some changes for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.