The ongoing tension in the Middle East is also affecting India. Concerns are increasing regarding the supply of LPG gas. As a result, people are rushing to book gas cylinders, which has created an atmosphere of panic in the market.
Cyber fraudsters are taking advantage of this situation. They are using new methods—such as fake calls, messages or links—to lure people with offers of instant gas booking. Due to this, many people have fallen into their trap and have lost their hard-earned money. Let us know what precautionary steps can be taken to avoid such scams.
**A new method of fraud under the guise of gas booking
This particular scam related to LPG booking takes advantage of people’s haste and fear. Fraudsters pretend to be officials of gas agencies by using fake websites, calls or messages, thereby gaining people’s trust. They then capture sensitive information like OTP, UPI PIN or bank account information, and then withdraw money from the victim’s account. These fraudsters often pressure victims to take immediate action. Moreover, they try to scare people by saying that their gas subsidy will be stopped or their KYC verification will be stopped. Such calls generally come from unknown or international numbers. Additionally, suspicious links or .apk files may also be sent along with these messages; It is very important to be extremely careful about these.
Keep these things in mind to avoid scams
When booking gas, check the URL of any website thoroughly before trusting it. Additionally, make sure the site supports the HTTPS protocol (represented by a security symbol) to guarantee a secure connection. Many fake websites are designed to look like real websites, but they often have minor mistakes in their names or spellings; Be sure to keep an eye on such mistakes.
Do not share personal information with anyone
If a platform promises instant booking but asks for instant payment or your personal information, you should immediately become wary. In particular, sensitive information like OTP, UPI PIN or bank account information should never be shared with anyone. By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of online fraud.