Plugging OTP fraud

The city police have started a dedicated cell to help people who have lost money to one-time-password (OTP) fraud.
Plugging OTP fraud

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city police have started a dedicated cell to help people who have lost money to one-time-password (OTP) fraud. Those who have lost money to cyber thieves should inform the cell within one hour of the crime. Officers in cyber cell operates from the Commissioner’s office.
“The cyber cell has been able to recover around Rs 4 lakh in the last few days. The money has been retrieved and deposited in the bank accounts of the victims,” said Commissioner P Prakash. 
He cautioned the public against OTP fraud. The public should be cautious while attending phone calls made from unknown numbers. 

The warning came as the number of people falling for cyber cons has increased. The cheating happens when fraudster accesses OTP send by the bank to customer’s mobile number. The fake calls are made in the name of verifying the bank account. According to Prakash, the fraudsters pose as bank executives after collecting the details of the account number of the unsuspecting victims. “After the introduction, they tell the account number of the victim and asked them whether their account numbers are correct. Later, a message comes on the victims’ phone seeking the OTP number. Convinced the OTP is for account verification, customers share the password. Apparently, they siphon off the money from the bank account,” he said.
The cyber cell can be reached at 0471-2329107, 9497975998 or the cyber police station 0471-2322090.

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The New Indian Express
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