Beware of Scam Robocalls Posing as Delivery Services in India

[Rajath Bidappa]

In recent months, a rise in fraudulent robocalls has been observed in India, where scammers impersonate delivery services, claiming that your order is being returned or there’s an issue with your delivery. They then prompt you to update your bank details to “fix” the issue. These scams are sophisticated and can seem genuine at first, targeting users who may not suspect anything unusual when expecting a delivery.
 

How the Scam Works:
 

• Robocall: You receive an automated call claiming to be from a popular delivery service. The message might say your package is being returned or there is a delay in delivery.
   
• Urgency Created: The caller may create a sense of urgency, saying your package will be returned or cancelled unless you take immediate action.
   
• Request for Bank Details: You will be asked to “verify” or “update” your payment or bank details to resolve the issue.
   
• Phishing for Information: Once you provide these details, the scammers use them to access your bank account, leading to potential financial loss.

How to Protect Yourself:
 

• Never Share Bank Details: Legitimate delivery services will never ask for sensitive financial information over the phone.
   
• Verify the Caller: If you receive such a call, hang up and contact the delivery service directly using their official customer support number or app.
   
• Use Truecaller to Identify Scams: Enable spam protection in your Truecaller app, which helps identify suspicious numbers or robocalls.
   
• Report Suspicious Calls: If you receive a suspicious call, report it as spam on Truecaller to alert other users and protect the community.

Stay Safe and Informed:

Be cautious and alert. Scammers are becoming increasingly clever, but by staying informed and relying on trusted tools like Truecaller, you can avoid falling prey to these fraudsters. Always verify before you act, and don’t let urgency trick you into making quick decisions that could compromise your security.