SAFEAVIOSENTINEL

Scams by SMS in India

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.

What it looks like

Scams that use this channel

UPI Collect Request ScamA stranger sends a UPI collect request and says you must approve it to receive money. Approving it…UPI Refund Wrong PIN ScamAfter an order cancellation or failed payment you are told a refund needs your UPI PIN or a link.…Fake Payment Credited SMS ScamA bogus SMS or message says money was credited to you, then a stranger asks you to return it. The…Wrong Transfer Return My Money ScamA stranger really does send you money, then claims it was a mistake and uses pressure and fake…UPI AutoPay Mandate ScamYou approve a request that looks harmless, but it sets up a recurring UPI mandate that lets a…Fake UPI Cashback Reward ScamA message promises a big UPI cashback or scratch card. To claim it you must share a PIN or approve…POS Machine Swipe Trick ScamA shop or hotel staff member uses a hidden reader, double swipes or changes the amount on a card…Wallet KYC Expiry ScamA message says your mobile wallet will be blocked unless you complete KYC today, and the link or…Wallet Top-up Cashback ScamA website or caller promises double balance or big cashback if you top up your wallet. The money…FASTag Recharge Link ScamA message says your FASTag balance is low or blocked and gives a link to recharge. The page steals…FASTag KYC Update Call ScamA caller says your FASTag will be deactivated without a KYC update and asks for an OTP, card…Electricity Bill Disconnection ScamA message says your electricity will be cut tonight for an unpaid bill, and tells you to pay…Gas Cylinder Booking Payment ScamA fake gas agency number found online takes your booking, then asks for a payment link, a refund…Mobile Recharge Offer ScamA message offers free recharge, extra validity or big cashback if you pay through a link. The link…Merchant Soundbox and QR Onboarding ScamFake agents tell shop owners they must pay a fee for a QR, soundbox or POS installation, then take…SIM Swap Bank FraudFraudsters get a duplicate SIM issued for your number, receive your bank OTPs and drain your…Net Banking Phishing Site ScamA link in an SMS or email opens a copy of your bank's login page that steals your user ID,…Bank KYC Update SMS ScamAn SMS says your bank KYC has expired and your account will be blocked today. The link or number…PAN Update Bank Account Block ScamA message says your PAN must be updated or your bank account and card will be blocked. The form…Credit Limit Increase Call ScamA caller offers to raise your credit card limit and asks for an OTP or card details. The OTP…EMI and Loan Waiver Call ScamA caller promises to waive your EMI, interest or part of your loan if you pay a fee or share an…ATM Card Swap Helper ScamA 'helpful' stranger at an ATM watches your PIN and swaps your card for a similar one, then…ATM Skimmer and Hidden Camera ScamA hidden reader on an ATM slot copies your card, and a tiny camera records your PIN. Your account…Credit Card Reward Points APK ScamA message says your credit card reward points will expire today and links to an app. The app reads…Card Blocked Fake Executive Call ScamA caller says your debit or credit card has been blocked and offers to reactivate it, then asks…Instant Loan Processing Fee ScamA lender promises a quick loan with no paperwork, then asks for processing fees, insurance and…Pre-approved Loan SMS Link ScamAn SMS says you have a pre-approved bank loan and asks you to tap a link and log in. The page…Fake Bank App APK ScamA message tells you to update your bank's mobile app from a link. The file is a fake app that…Remote Access App Bank Support ScamA fake bank or refund agent asks you to install a screen-sharing app, then uses your banking apps…Debit Card Expiry and Replacement ScamA caller says your debit card is about to expire and a new one will be sent after you confirm…Fixed Deposit Premature Closure ScamA caller says your fixed deposit has matured or can earn extra interest if you act now, and asks…Dormant Account Reactivation ScamA message says your unused bank account will be closed unless you reactivate it through a link.…Salary Account Upgrade ScamA caller offers a free upgrade of your salary account with a premium card and benefits, and asks…Safe Account Transfer Fraud Alert ScamA caller says your account is under attack and asks you to move your savings to a 'safe account'…Fake Bank Statement PDF ScamAn email or message sends a bank statement or credit card bill as a file or link. Opening it…International Transaction Alert ScamA message says your card was used abroad for a large payment and gives a number to call. The…Bank Nominee Update ScamA message or call says nominee details are missing and your account will be frozen. The form or…Annual Fee and Bank Charges Refund ScamA caller says the bank charged you extra fees and will refund them if you share an OTP or open a…RBI Compensation and Unclaimed Money ScamA message claims RBI or a bank owes you compensation or unclaimed money and asks for a fee, tax or…Credit Card EMI Conversion ScamA caller says your large card bill can be turned into zero-cost EMI and asks for an OTP, which…Fake Loan Recovery Agent ScamCallers threaten to shame you or message your contacts unless you pay a loan, sometimes one you…KYC Update SMS Link ScamA text says your KYC has expired and your account will be blocked today. The link opens a fake…PAN Card Blocked SMS ScamA text claims your PAN will be blocked unless you update it now. The link is a fake form that…DigiLocker Document Phishing ScamMessages say your DigiLocker documents are expiring or need verification. The login page is fake…Voter ID Update WhatsApp ScamA WhatsApp forward offers a quick voter ID or voter list update. The file or link installs spyware…PAN-Aadhaar Link Deadline ScamA text warns that PAN will become inoperative unless you link it to Aadhaar today. The link…Ration Card e-KYC and Subsidy ScamMessages warn that your ration card will be cancelled unless you complete e-KYC through a link or…Courier Delivery Fee and Redelivery Link ScamA text says a parcel could not be delivered and asks for a small redelivery fee or address update…Income Tax Refund Fake Link ScamA message says an income tax refund is approved and asks you to confirm your bank account on a…EPFO PF Withdrawal and Pension ScamCallers offer to speed up your PF claim or release a stuck pension for a fee, and ask for your UAN…Electricity Disconnection Tonight SMS ScamA text says power will be cut tonight because the last bill was not updated, and asks you to call…E-Challan Traffic Fine Link ScamA text claims you have an unpaid traffic challan and gives a link to pay. The page takes card…FASTag KYC Update and Recharge ScamA text says your FASTag will be blocked without a KYC update or recharge and gives a number or…Mobile Number Deactivation KYC Text ScamA text says your SIM will be deactivated unless you update KYC today and asks you to call a number…SIM Swap and Duplicate SIM FraudFraudsters get a duplicate SIM for your number, take your OTPs and empty accounts. Sudden loss of…5G SIM Upgrade Link ScamA message offers a free 5G SIM or network upgrade through a link or app. It installs spyware or…Call Forwarding Code ScamA caller asks you to dial a special code on your phone for a delivery or a refund. It forwards…Recharge Cashback and Free Data Offer ScamMessages promise free recharge, bonus data or cashback on your next top-up through a link. The…Missed Call Callback ScamA missed call from an unusual number tempts you to call back and pay high charges, or leads to a…DTH and Set-Top Box KYC Recharge ScamA call or SMS says your DTH channels will stop unless KYC is updated or a recharge is done through…Part-Time Like and Rate Task Job ScamA WhatsApp message offers Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 a day for liking videos or rating products. The first…Work From Home Data Entry Registration Fee ScamData entry and form filling jobs promise monthly pay but first ask for a registration, kit or…Advance Fee Loan Approval ScamA loan is approved without checks, but you must first pay processing, insurance or GST. After you…Fake E-Commerce HR WhatsApp Job ScamA 'recruiter' from a known shopping or tech brand messages you on WhatsApp with an easy job, then…Scholarship Fee and Fake Portal ScamStudents and parents get messages about a big scholarship that needs a processing fee or bank…Government Scheme and Subsidy Registration ScamForwards offer free laptops, cash or subsidy under a government scheme if you register through a…WhatsApp Stock Tips Group ScamA free WhatsApp group shares stock tips that seem to win, then pushes a paid VIP plan or a trading…Fake Online Store Advertised on Instagram and FacebookA slick shop with huge discounts appears in your feed, takes your UPI or card payment and ships…Cash on Delivery Parcel Swap and Wrong-Product TrickA delivery person asks for cash for a parcel you never ordered, or a package contains a swapped…Fake Product Review and Rating Task ScamYou are paid a few rupees to rate products, then asked to deposit money for bigger tasks that…Fake Customer Care Number Found on Google SearchYou search for a company's customer care number and land on a fake listing run by a scammer who…Refund Scam with a Rs 1 Test Payment LinkAfter you cancel an order, a caller says a refund link needs a small test payment first. The link…Fake Delivery Address Update and Redelivery FeeAn SMS says your parcel is on hold because the address is incomplete and asks for a small fee on a…Lookalike Brand Website with a Clearance SaleA site that copies a famous brand's name with one letter changed offers a huge sale. It takes…Fake Order Confirmation and Cancel Request CallAn SMS or call says an expensive order was placed in your name and offers a cancel link. The…Gift Card and Recharge Code Payment ScamA caller or chat contact asks you to buy gift vouchers and read out the codes, claiming it fixes a…Remote Access App Bank Refund TrickA caller offers a refund and asks you to install a remote-access app. Once he sees your screen, he…Screen Share Support Trick Posing as a Utility or Telecom HelpdeskA fake telecom or utility helpdesk asks you to open a screen-sharing app to 'fix' your SIM or…Fake Antivirus Pop-up Telling You to Call SupportA browser page flashes a loud virus warning with a helpline number or an 'install cleaner' button.…Fake Broadband Technician and Router Support CallA caller from your 'internet provider' says your router needs a verification payment or app. It is…WhatsApp Account Takeover Through a Shared Verification CodeA stranger or contact asks for the six-digit WhatsApp code you just received. It lets them take…Wrong Number Message That Turns Into a FriendshipA polite 'sorry, wrong number' message slowly becomes a friendship, then an investment or gift…Hacked Friend's Account Asking for Urgent MoneyA message from a friend's hacked or cloned profile asks for urgent UPI money. Learn how to check…Fake Lottery and KBC Prize MessageYou are told you won a huge lottery or a quiz-show prize and must pay a tax or processing fee…Morphed Photo Blackmail from a StrangerA stranger sends an edited explicit picture using your public photo and demands money. Learn why…Deepfake Celebrity or Finance Expert Video Promoting an InvestmentA video shows a famous person praising a trading app or scheme. The clip is edited or generated,…AI Chatbot Fake Profile That Chats for WeeksA friendly profile replies instantly at all hours, with perfect grammar, and slowly steers you to…Wedding Invitation APK Shared on WhatsAppA WhatsApp message with a file named like a wedding card ends in .apk. Installing it can give a…Fake RTO Challan or Vehicle App Sent as an APKA message says you have a pending traffic challan and asks you to install an app file to see it.…Instant Loan App That Steals Contacts and Threatens YouA quick-loan app asks for contacts and gallery access, then threatens to message your family when…Stalkerware Spy App Hidden on a PhoneA hidden spy app can show messages, location and calls to someone who installed it. Learn the…Malicious QR Codes Stuck in Public PlacesA QR sticker on a parking meter, restaurant table or poster leads to a fake payment page or an app…Juice Jacking: Public Charging Ports and Rigged CablesCan a public USB port or a gifted cable steal data from your phone? See what is real, what is rare…Fake Free Wi-Fi Hotspot That Steals LoginsA free Wi-Fi network with a familiar name asks you to log in with your phone number or social…Browser Notification Spam: The 'Click Allow to Continue' TrapA website says 'tap Allow to prove you are not a robot' and then floods your phone with scam…Fake Android System Update or Security Patch Pop-upA pop-up or message says your phone needs an urgent system update and offers a download. The file…SIM Swap Fraud and Duplicate SIM TakeoverYour phone loses network for no reason and OTPs go to a criminal's SIM. Learn the signs of SIM…Fake Phone Cleaner, Booster and Antivirus AppsCleaner, booster and 'virus removal' apps promise speed but fill your phone with ads or ask for…Modded WhatsApp (GB WhatsApp and Similar) DownloadsModified WhatsApp apps promise extra features but come from unknown sources, can leak chats and…'We Found Your Phone' Message with a Tracking LinkAfter you lose a phone, a message says it was found and asks you to click a link or pay a fee. The…PM-Kisan Status Update APK ScamA WhatsApp message says your PM-Kisan instalment is stuck and asks you to install an APK. See how…Farmer Loan Waiver and Subsidy Agent ScamA village agent says your name is on a loan waiver or subsidy list and asks for a fee. Learn how…Pension Life Certificate Call ScamA caller says your pension will stop unless you submit a life certificate now and asks for an OTP.…Coaching and Exam Fee Refund ScamA caller offers a refund for coaching or exam fees but needs your UPI PIN or a small test payment…Smart Meter Installation UPI Trap ScamA caller says your meter must be changed to a smart meter today and sends a QR or app for a fee.…Society and RWA Maintenance App ScamA fake message in the society group changes the maintenance QR or asks residents to install an RWA…Fake Doctor Appointment and Lab Report Link ScamA message about your lab report or a doctor appointment carries a link that steals logins or asks…Ayushman Health Card Enrolment ScamSomeone offers to make your Ayushman or free-treatment health card for a fee or an OTP. See how…Gaming ID and Top-Up Sale ScamCheap in-game currency or a high-level ID for sale leads to a stolen login or lost advance. See…Disaster and Charity Donation QR ScamAfter a flood, accident or illness story goes viral, fake appeals share a personal QR. Learn how…Hotel Booking Refund and Cancellation Call ScamA caller says your hotel booking failed or is cancelled and sends a link or QR for a refund. See…Airline Refund and Customer Care Search ScamSearching for an airline refund number can lead to a fake helpline that takes card details or…Insurance Policy Revival and Claim Call ScamA caller says your old insurance policy has a bonus or can be revived, then asks for fees or an…ESIC and PF Claim Agent ScamAn agent offers to speed up your PF or ESIC claim for a commission and asks for your UAN login or…GST Refund Agent ScamAn agent or caller claims a large GST refund is pending and asks for a fee, login or OTP to…Fake Tax Notice Email ScamAn email with a tax notice or demand pushes you to open an attachment or pay a penalty. See how…Domain Renewal and Google Listing Scam for ShopsA small shop gets a domain-renewal invoice or a call to 'verify' its Google listing for a fee.…Business Loan Subsidy and Mudra Agent ScamAn agent promises a business loan or subsidy under a government scheme and takes a fee or margin…FSSAI and Trade Licence Agent ScamA caller says your shop needs an FSSAI or trade licence now or faces a fine, and takes a high fee.…Mystery Shopper Task ScamA 'mystery shopper' job asks you to buy items or test a money transfer with money they send first.…Google Maps Review Reward ScamYou are paid a few rupees to review places on a map app, then asked to deposit money for 'higher…Relationship-to-Investment Chat Scam (Pig Butchering)A friendly stranger builds trust over weeks, then introduces a 'sure' investment platform. See how…Rooftop Solar Subsidy and Installation ScamA caller or door-to-door agent offers a rooftop solar subsidy for a fee or advance. See how fake…Cab and Delivery Partner Onboarding Fee ScamA fake recruiter says you can join a ride or delivery app after paying for an ID, uniform or kit.…

What to do

  1. Do not reply, do not tap the link and do not call the number in the message.
  2. Open the official app or type the official website yourself to see if there is any real notice.
  3. Paste the text into a scam checker (Safeavio Sentinel can check it) before you do anything else.
  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.

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

Check it before you tap or pay

Safeavio Sentinel is a made-in-India Android app: paste a message or link, or scan a QR code, and get a plain verdict with the reasons. It helps you spot a scam; it does not promise to stop every one.

Download for AndroidWhat the app does

Google Play listing: coming soon. Today the signed APK is on safeavio.com/download. Android 7.0 or later.