Gas Cylinder Booking Payment Scam by SMS

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

SMS scams lean on short, urgent lines and a shortened link. The message looks official because the sender name (header) is shaped to resemble a real organisation. 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 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 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 text message

• 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 tells you to install an app from a link instead of the official store.
• The link domain is not the one you type yourself for that organisation.

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. 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 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, fake app.

Questions