Fake refund request

Fake refund request is a scam where someone says they will refund money, then sends you a link, QR or collect request that takes money.

Fake refund request: A fake refund request is a trick in which a scammer says you are owed a refund for a failed order, wrong payment or cancelled booking. To receive it, they ask you to enter a PIN, scan a QR, accept a request or share an OTP. That does the opposite.

It often hits people who really did have a payment trouble, or sellers who advertised an item online. A message arrives, "Your Rs 1,200 refund is ready, tap the link to receive." The link opens a payment page or a UPI request. Believing that you are about to receive money, you enter your PIN and lose money. The message uses your hope of getting money back to lower your guard and speed up your reaction.

Remember that you never need a PIN, QR scan or OTP to receive money. Real refunds appear in your account or original payment method without any action. Check refund status only in the app or site where you paid. If a refund is delayed, contact support through the official app. Do not click links in messages about refunds. Patience is your best protection here, because real refunds need no action from you.

Tips

• A PIN or QR scan is never needed to receive a refund.
• Check refund status only inside the shopping or payment app you used.
• Block and report anyone who sends a refund link.

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