In this digital era, online payment is a versatile medium as it has many benefits. However, it comes with several disadvantages, and online payment fraud is among them. The growing volume of digital transactions helps fraudsters as they find new ways to steal people’s hard-earned money. As more people use UPI apps and e-wallets these days, the number of online frauds is growing swiftly.
So, irrespective of whether you do digital transactions frequently or feel skeptical about them, you should keep in mind some safety measures before using any UPI apps or e-wallet and making an online payment. Basic awareness can help you avert financial loss, and you can make better use of online payment. So, now, you might be thinking about those safety measures. To help you with this, here are some efficient ways to protect yourself from scammers.
- Use verified and trusted apps and e-wallets.
Some people install several third-party UPI apps and make online payments. It is a wrong approach as the scammers are waiting for this, and they have easy access to these apps. That is why you should only use verified UPI apps and e-wallets while paying online. You should only download and install the apps from Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Windows App Store.
- Use secure connections and devices.
According to our safety experts here at Proman Securitech, while doing online transactions, you should use your smartphone, laptop, or desktop through a secured connection. Many people use free Wi-Fi at railway stations and cafes to make online payments. But you should avoid using public hotspots for financial transactions as these networks are prone to theft. It is so because the scammers can easily hack their encryption, and as a result, they can get easy access to your accounts.
- Never share details with anyone.
There are many past examples of online payment fraud where people share their card and account details and thereby lose their hard-earned money. To protect your money from scams, you should never share your debit or credit card details, net banking password, OTP or One Time Password, ATM Pin, and other banking details with anyone. Remember that the bank representatives never ask for these details if you ever contact them.
- Never open suspicious emails, links, and SMS
Link baiting, SMS, and suspicious emails are common if you use online transactions. These links often grab your attention with the claims of the lottery or others. Though you might think that these links are genuine, these are traps. That is why you should never click on such links, as they might lead you to a phishing site. After some time, you will see that all your bank balance is gone. Apart from this, you might get calls from scammers. In such cases, it is wise to disconnect the call if you receive it to avoid financial loss.
Final Verdict
So we hope, by following these basic tips, you can easily bypass the risk of financial loss while making an online transaction. Besides this, you should also inform your bank immediately if your debit or card is lost or stolen, or compromised in any capacity to avoid any potential loss of money.