How to identify a fraud call (fraud call kaise pehchane)

You can identify a fraud call by what the caller asks for: urgency ("your number will be blocked in 2 hours"), secrecy ("don't tell anyone"), and a request to share an OTP, PIN or card number, install an app, or pay money. Real banks, TRAI, police, courier companies and electricity boards do not work this way. When in doubt, hang up, call the organisation on its official number, and report the call on Chakshu. If money has gone, call 1930 immediately.

Fraud call kaise pehchane: 8 red flags

1. Darr ya laalach (fear or greed): threats of arrest, account block or disconnection, or a prize, refund, job or loan that sounds too good.
2. Jaldi karo (urgency): "do it now", "in 30 minutes", "before tonight".
3. OTP, PIN, CVV or password requested for any reason, even "for verification".
4. App install karo: AnyDesk, TeamViewer QuickSupport, a "KYC" APK or "support app".
5. Secrecy: "don't tell your family or bank, this is confidential".
6. Payment to a personal UPI ID or account for a fine, fee, deposit or "verification".
7. Transfer to a video call with someone in uniform or an "officer" showing ID cards.
8. Pressure if you hesitate: the caller gets angry or more threatening when you say you will call back.

Common fraud call scripts in India

1. Bank KYC / account block call

"Sir, I'm calling from your bank. Your KYC has expired and your account will be blocked today. I'll send a link / you'll get an OTP, please tell me." The link or OTP gives the fraudster access to your account. Banks do not ask for OTPs on calls. See our guide on KYC fraud messages.

2. "TRAI / DoT will disconnect your number"

A caller (sometimes after a recorded message) says they are from TRAI or the telecom department and claims your number or Aadhaar is linked to illegal activity. TRAI has said clearly that it does not initiate communication with customers regarding mobile number disconnection through messages or otherwise, and that its officials do not conduct investigations or collect payments over phone, messaging apps or video calls. These calls often lead into a digital arrest scam.

3. Courier / customs parcel call

"A parcel in your name with drugs and fake passports has been seized by customs. We are connecting you to the police." The fake "police" then demand money to "clear your name". This script, often using a courier company's name, has cost many victims large sums. Real police do not settle cases on phone or video calls.

4. Job / task / "work from home" call

"Earn ₹3,000–5,000 a day by liking videos or rating hotels." You get small payments first, then are asked to "invest" for bigger tasks, and the money is never returned. Such task frauds have taken lakhs from individual victims. A real job never asks you to pay to earn.

5. Electricity bill disconnection call or SMS

"Your electricity will be cut tonight at 9:30 pm because last month's bill was not updated. Call this officer." The "officer" asks you to install an app or pay through a link. Electricity departments have cautioned consumers against such fake messages. Pay bills only through your power company's official app or website.

6. "Relative in trouble" and AI voice cloning

A late-night call from someone who sounds exactly like your son, nephew or friend: "I've had an accident / I'm in police custody, send money now and don't tell anyone." AI tools can now imitate voices from short public recordings. IndiaAI reported a case where a Hyderabad woman lost about ₹1.4 lakh to a caller who sounded just like her nephew in Canada.

• Hang up and call the person back on the number saved in your phone.
• Agree on a family "code word" for emergencies.
• Ask a question only the real person would know.

What to do during and after a suspicious call

1. Don't argue, just disconnect. You do not owe the caller an explanation.
2. Verify independently. Call your bank from the number on your card or passbook, or check inside the official app.
3. Do not install anything the caller suggests. If you already did, see our guide on dangerous app permissions.
4. Block the number in your phone app.
5. Report it (see below), even if you did not lose money. It helps get numbers disconnected.

How to report a fraud call: Chakshu and 1930

TRAI itself advises reporting suspected fraudulent communications through the Chakshu facility and confirmed cybercrime via 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in. Chakshu covers categories such as KYC update scams, bank and wallet scams, electricity or gas connection scams, and impersonation of government officials or relatives. For a step-by-step complaint, see how to file a 1930 UPI fraud complaint.

DND, DLT and how genuine business messages look

India's commercial messaging rules (often called DLT) require businesses to register their SMS headers with telecom operators. Since May 2025, registered SMS headers carry a suffix showing the message type: -P promotional, -S service, -T transactional and -G government (summary of the TRAI mandate). A message claiming to be from your bank that comes from an ordinary 10-digit mobile number is a strong warning sign. Remember that a correct header only tells you who sent an SMS; it does not make every link in it safe.

For calls, SEBI has directed the entities it regulates (brokers, mutual funds and others) to use the 1600 number series for service and transactional calls to existing customers. To cut down on promotional calls, register your preferences in the TRAI DND app, which TRAI relaunched with multilingual support in February 2026. DND reduces spam from registered telemarketers, but fraudsters ignore the rules, so you still need the red flags above.

Extra protection for your family

Most fraud calls end with a link, an SMS or an app. Secuvexa Mobile lets you share a suspicious link or message to check it for scam signs, and reviews your phone for risky apps and permissions such as remote-access apps. It is an extra layer of protection, not a guarantee, so keep the habits above. You can also check any link for free with our link checker.

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you have lost money to fraud, call 1930 immediately or report at cybercrime.gov.in.