Gas Cylinder Booking Payment Scam through an app

How it looks through an app, the red flags and what to do.

Scam apps pretend to be a bank, a loan service, a game, a government service or a "support tool", and they ask for access to SMS, contacts, the screen or accessibility. Gas Cylinder Booking Payment Scam is one of the ways this shows up: A fake gas agency number found online takes your booking, then asks for a payment link, a refund form or a UPI PIN and empties your account.

What gas cylinder booking payment scam looks like through an app

• A loan app that asks for contacts and photos.
• A "KYC", "challan" or "bank rewards" app from a link.
• An .apk file sent on WhatsApp or by SMS.

The scammer lists fake contact numbers on map and search pages with the names of gas companies and local agencies. When you search in a hurry, because your cylinder is empty or a delivery is late, you call the first number you see. The person answering knows the usual words and asks for your consumer number, name and address.

Red flags to check on the app

• The agency number came from a search result or map listing.
• A payment is needed just to confirm a normal booking.
• You are told to enter a PIN or OTP to receive a refund.
• A subsidy or booking cancellation is used as a threat.
• It has few or odd reviews, or a name with spelling changes.
• It asks you to turn off Play Protect.

What to do

1. End the call and do not tap the link you were sent.
2. Use the number on your gas booking card, your last bill or the official app.
3. Never enter a PIN or OTP for a booking or refund.
4. Call your bank, and call 1930 if money moved.
5. Do not install it. If it is installed, uninstall it now (Settings, Apps).
6. Open Settings and check Accessibility, Device admin apps and Install unknown apps for anything you do not recognise.

Report the fake app to the store it came from and, if money moved, call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in.

If money or a code is already gone

1. Call 1930 at once and give the amount, time and transaction ID.
2. Tell your bank through the number on your card to block the card used.
3. Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in with the call log and any payment screenshots.
4. Uninstall any app that you installed on the caller's advice.

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

Safeavio's link check can look at a booking or payment link before you open it, and the QR check shows where a code goes before you pay. Money Shield asks you to verify before paying anyone. Safeavio cannot tell whether a phone number belongs to a real agency, so use the number printed on your booking card or bill. It cannot verify agencies.

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

Questions