New Delhi, August 1: As digital payments continue to power India’s transition towards a digital-first economy, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued an advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant against the growing threat of text message (SMS) scams.
According to NPCI, many financial frauds now begin with a seemingly harmless text message designed to create urgency, fear, or curiosity. Fraudsters use these tactics to manipulate people into making quick decisions without verifying the authenticity of the message.
How SMS Scams Work
Scammers often send fake messages posing as banks, government agencies, telecom operators, delivery services, or other trusted organisations. These messages are crafted to appear genuine and typically encourage recipients to:
• Click on fraudulent links leading to fake websites.
• Call fake customer care or helpline numbers.
• Download unknown or malicious apps.
• Share confidential information such as OTPs, UPI PINs, passwords, or banking details.
• Transfer money after receiving fake payment credit alerts.
NPCI said these scams rely on social engineering, exploiting human emotions rather than technical vulnerabilities.
Safety Tips for Users
To protect themselves from digital fraud, NPCI has advised users to:
• Carefully read every message before taking any action.
• Verify requests through official websites, mobile apps, or authorised customer care channels.
• Download applications only from trusted app stores.
• Never share OTPs, UPI PINs, passwords, or banking credentials with anyone.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from unknown messages.
• Confirm any payment or credit notification by checking the official bank account statement.
• Review app permissions carefully and grant only those that are genuinely required.
Report Suspicious Activity
NPCI has also encouraged users to preserve evidence by saving suspicious messages, taking screenshots, and documenting interactions. Victims or anyone receiving fraudulent messages should report them by calling the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or through the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi portal.
About NPCI
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), is the umbrella organisation responsible for operating India’s retail payment and settlement systems. It has developed several major payment platforms, including UPI, RuPay, IMPS, NACH, NETC, AePS, e-RUPI, and BHIM, playing a key role in expanding digital payments and financial inclusion across the country.
NPCI reiterated that staying alert and verifying every financial request is the best defence against evolving digital payment frauds.
