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The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has issued an urgent warning in response to this new scam, which leverages social engineering to trick users into inadvertently revealing their One-Time Password (OTP), a crucial security safeguard in financial transactions.
In the meanwhile, worried indian officials have alerted the public to this scam, in which scammers utilize call combining to trick customers into unknowingly exposing their One-Time Passwords (OTPs). This gives criminals the ability to conduct unauthorized transactions and pilfer money.
On its X account, the National Payments Corporation of india (NPCI)'s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) cautioned customers, saying, "Scammers are using call merging to trick you into revealing OTPs. Don't fall for it! Stay alert and protect your money."
Call merging is a tactic used by scammers to fool you into disclosing OTPs. Avoid falling for it! Remain vigilant and safeguard your finances.
Call Merging Scam: Examine How It Operates
A call from an unknown number, claiming to have obtained your contact information from a friend, is the first sign of the scam. Then, claiming that your "friend" is attempting to phone you from a separate number, they ask you to combine the call.
The victim unintentionally connects to a genuine bank OTP verification call once the call is merged. The victim is deceived into revealing the OTP without recognizing it since the crooks timing this precisely.
The victim loses money as a result of the fraudsters completing the transaction after receiving the OTP. The scam begins when an unidentified caller claims to have obtained your number from a buddy. The con artist then claims that the "friend" is phoning from a separate number and asks you to combine the calls. The unsuspecting user inadvertently connects to a legitimate bank OTP verification call when the call is merged.
The con artists timing this perfectly so that the victim provides the OTP without realizing it is a scam. The victim loses their money when the fraudsters complete the transaction after receiving the OTP.
How To Stay Safe?
To assist you with avoiding falling for this scam, UPI has issued the following safety advice:
Never combine calls from unidentified numbers:
Always be cautious when being requested to combine calls, especially if you don't know who is asking.
Verify the legitimacy of the caller:
Before acting, take caution to verify the identity of anybody claiming to be from your bank or a recognized contact.
Report any OTPs that seem suspect:
If you obtain an OTP for a transaction that you did not initiate by reporting it to 1930, notify your bank and take the necessary measures immediately.