Udaipur, October 16 (Daily Kiran): As festival spending rises, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued five key safety tips to help users protect themselves from digital-payment scams that often spike during sale seasons. Scammers exploit hurried buying behaviour and use social engineering to steal money or sensitive data. NPCI’s guidance is aimed at helping users transact securely both online and offline.
NPCI’s five safety tips
Shop only on official apps and websites — Type the site address yourself or use the official app. Avoid clicking links in promotional emails, SMS or forwarded messages. Do not download files or click links from unknown sources, as these can install harmful software.
Complete payments only within the platform — Do not pay through external UPI IDs or links outside the merchant’s official checkout. Finish transactions on the platform’s checkout page and confirm the seller’s details.
Be cautious with free vouchers and cashback offers — Messages promising rewards may ask for OTPs, account details or small fees. Genuine offers will not request sensitive information or upfront payments.
Treat unexpected OTP requests as a red flag — OTPs confirm transactions initiated by the user; banks and payment apps never ask for OTPs over calls or messages to “fix” problems.
Don’t act under pressure — Scammers create false urgency—claims that an offer will expire soon or an account will be blocked. Legitimate platforms do not use fear or rush tactics; pause and verify before responding.
NPCI recommends following the simple ‘Stop, Think, Act’ principle: stop at the point of unexpected requests, think and verify the information, then act wisely. These steps can significantly reduce the risk of fraud and ensure safer payment experiences during the festive rush.