Fixed Deposit Premature Closure Scam by email

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

An email gives the scammer room to look official: a signature, a fake invoice, an attachment and a button that goes to a lookalike login page. Fixed Deposit Premature Closure Scam is one of the ways this shows up: A caller says your fixed deposit has matured or can earn extra interest if you act now, and asks for an OTP, link or remote access.

What fixed deposit premature closure scam looks like by email

• A button that says "Verify account" or "View invoice".
• An attachment such as a PDF, ZIP or HTML file you did not expect.
• A generic greeting instead of your name.

The scammer finds people through leaked customer lists or by guessing that older account holders have deposits. They call as a bank's investment desk, mention FDs in a general way and say that a rate change or a maturity date means you must act this week. They may refer to 'your FD' without a number so that you fill in the details yourself.

Red flags to check on the email

• An unexpected call about your FD offers a special rate.
• An OTP or login is needed to renew or close it.
• A link or support app is used to process the request.
• The offer ends this week or today.
• Hover over the link: the address does not match the company website.
• The email asks you to log in through the link rather than through the official app.

What to do

1. End the call and do not share any OTP, login or account details.
2. Check your deposit in the bank's official app or at your branch.
3. Use only the number on your passbook or statement to call the bank.
4. Go to the company website by typing it yourself and check your account there.
5. Check the full sender address, not just the display name.
6. Report it as phishing in your email app and delete it.

Use Report phishing in your email app. If money or accounts are affected, call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in.

If money or a code is already gone

1. Call your bank on the number printed on your passbook and ask to block net banking and transfers.
2. Call 1930 and give the amounts, time and receiver details.
3. Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in with call logs and statements.
4. Ask the bank to review any payees or contact changes made on your account.

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

Safeavio's Money Shield checklist and family code word help families agree how to handle money requests, which is useful for older relatives who hold deposits. The scam check can review any follow-up message or link that you paste. Safeavio does not block calls by itself, so end the call and confirm everything with your branch. Ask your branch. Check with them directly.

Full guide: Fixed Deposit Premature Closure Scam: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: phone call, SMS, WhatsApp.

Questions