Fake Payment Credited SMS Scam by SMS

How it looks by SMS, the red flags and what to do.

A text message is the cheapest way for a scammer to reach thousands of phones at once, and the sender name can look like a bank, a courier or a government office. Fake Payment Credited SMS Scam is one of the ways this shows up: A bogus SMS or message says money was credited to you, then a stranger asks you to return it. The credit never existed.

What fake payment credited sms scam looks like by SMS

• A sender name that resembles a bank, courier, tax or utility, or an ordinary mobile number.
• A very short message with a deadline such as "today" or "within 24 hours".
• A shortened or oddly spelled link that does not match the real website.

The scammer sends a message from a number that tries to look like a bank or UPI service. The text has the style of a credit alert, a made-up reference number and an amount. Some messages arrive in the same thread as real bank alerts because the sender name has been copied, which makes them hard to question.

Red flags to check on the text message

• A credit message arrives that you were not expecting.
• Your real account balance does not match the message.
• A stranger calls about a 'mistaken' transfer right after.
• You are asked to return money to a different account or UPI ID.
• The link domain is not the one you type yourself for that organisation.
• The message asks for an OTP, PIN, card number or password.

What to do

1. Open your bank or UPI app yourself and check the real balance.
2. Do not return any money unless the credit is visible in your account.
3. If money truly arrived, ask your bank to reverse it rather than paying a stranger.
4. Report the sender on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) and block the number.
5. Delete the message and tell family members who may get the same text.
6. Do not reply, do not tap the link and do not call the number in the message.

You can report suspicious SMS and calls on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) of the Department of Telecommunications.

If money or a code is already gone

1. Call 1930 immediately and quote the amount, time and receiver ID.
2. Tell your bank through the number on your card so they can note the fraud.
3. Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in with the SMS and call details.
4. Save the fake message and call log before deleting anything.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930; report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Safeavio's scam check works on text you paste or share. Paste the credit alert and it can flag pressure and money demands in the message. Money Shield also reminds you to confirm any credit in your own account first. It does not read your SMS on its own and cannot tell you whether your balance really changed. Check your own balance.

Full guide: Fake Payment Credited SMS Scam: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: WhatsApp, phone call.

Questions