Cyber Frauds in India: Your Quick-Action Guide to Report and Recover from Cyber Fraud in India

In today’s digital era, cybercrime has become a significant concern for individuals and organizations worldwide. Cybercriminals continuously exploit vulnerabilities in technology to compromise sensitive information, disrupt services, and inflict financial and reputational harm. If a person in India becomes a victim of cyber fraud, taking swift and systematic action is crucial to mitigate potential losses, secure personal information, and initiate legal processes.

 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on the immediate actions one should take:

Proactive Approaches to Protect Yourself from Cyber Fraud: -

Secure Accounts and Personal Data

• Change Passwords: Update passwords for your email, social media, banking, and other accounts. Ensure the new passwords are strong, unique, and not reused across platforms.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activating 2FA adds an extra layer of security and reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access to your accounts.
• Review Connected Devices and Sessions: Check for unknown devices or active sessions on your accounts and log out of all sessions if any suspicious activity is detected.

Monitor Credit Reports and Bank Statements

• Check Credit Scores and Bank Statements: Regularly review your bank statements, credit reports, and other financial accounts to spot any unauthorized activity.
• Set Up Transaction Alerts: Enable SMS and email notifications for all transactions to stay informed about activity in real time.

Stay Informed and Educate Yourself on Cybersecurity

• Educate on Phishing and Social Engineering Tactics: Learn about common scams to recognize potential threats in the future.
• Review Cybersecurity Best Practices: Avoid sharing sensitive information online, use secure passwords, and be cautious about unsolicited messages or requests. 

Immediate Actions to be  taken in India when Cyber Fraud occurred : -

Notify Your Service Providers (e.g., Mobile, Email)

• Contact Your Mobile Network Provider: If your SIM card or mobile number has been compromised, contact your mobile network provider to lock your number, issue a new SIM, or block unauthorized access.
• Notify Your Email Provider: If your email account is hacked, contact the provider’s support team to recover or secure your account.

Report to Your Bank or Financial Institution

• Notify Your Bank Immediately: If the fraud involves financial transactions (e.g., online banking, UPI, or card transactions), contact your bank or financial institution immediately. Banks usually have a 24/7 helpline for reporting fraud.
• Freeze Affected Accounts: Request the bank to temporarily freeze your account if you suspect unauthorized access or transactions.
• File a Written Complaint with the Bank: Ensure to submit a written complaint (or email) detailing the fraudulent transaction(s), including transaction IDs, dates, and amounts. Keep copies for your records.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued guidelines mandating that banks address digital fraud cases promptly.

• How to Approach:-
• Contact your bank’s customer care and file a complaint about the fraudulent transaction.
• Report the fraud through the RBI’s Complaint Management System if you face delays in resolution by your bank. Access it at https://cms.rbi.org.in.
• Notify the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) if UPI or RuPay transactions are involved.
• Key Points:
• Ensure that you report the fraud within 3 days for a higher chance of reimbursement by the bank.
• Keep a record of all communication with the bank for follow-up.

Report to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• If Bank Resolution Delays: If you are unsatisfied with your bank’s response or if they delay resolution, escalate the complaint to the RBI’s Complaint Management System (https://cms.rbi.org.in).
• File a Complaint on the RBI Portal: Provide your details and the nature of the fraud. The RBI will intervene to expedite the resolution process through the bank.

File a Complaint on the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

The Government of India has created the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to help citizens report incidents of cyber fraud, cyberbullying, and other online crimes easily and securely.

 

How to Approach: -

• Visit the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: The Government of India’s Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) is designed for reporting cybercrimes, including financial fraud.
• Register Your Complaint: Select the appropriate complaint category, such as “Financial Fraud” or “Unauthorized Online Transaction,” and fill in the details about the incident.
• Keep Tracking Information: After filing, you’ll receive a unique complaint ID. This can be used to track the status of your complaint on the portal.

Approach Your Local Cyber Crime Police Station

Every state in India has dedicated cybercrime police stations where victims can report cyber fraud cases. Cyber Crime Police Stations are well-equipped to handle various online crimes, including phishing, identity theft, online scams, and hacking.

 

How to Approach:-

• Visit the Nearest Cyber Crime Police Station: Locate the nearest Cyber Crime Police Station (most major cities have one). Cybercrime police stations are equipped to handle various forms of online fraud.
• File an FIR or NC: File a First Information Report (FIR) for severe financial fraud or if sensitive data has been compromised. If you cannot visit the station in person, you can sometimes file an FIR online (availability varies by state).
• Provide Evidence: Bring relevant evidence, such as screenshots, bank statements, transaction records, and communication logs. This will help police begin their investigation faster.

Contact the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)

The Government of India has created the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to help citizens report incidents of cyber fraud, cyberbullying, and other online crimes easily and securely.

 

How to Approach:-

• Email CERT-In: For large-scale breaches or if you suspect malware or a network breach, contact the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) at incident@cert-in.org.in.
• Seek Technical Guidance: CERT-In may provide advice on securing your systems and preventing further breaches.

Document Everything for Follow-Up

• Maintain a Record: Document all actions taken, including complaint numbers, police case numbers, emails, and communications with banks or authorities.
• Follow-Up Regularly: Cybercrime investigations can take time, so follow up with relevant authorities or agencies periodically.

Taking these steps quickly can help you limit the impact of cyber fraud, secure your information, and improve the chances of successful resolution. Staying vigilant and reporting cybercrime can also aid in the wider effort to combat online threats in India.

Practical Tips When Approaching Agencies

• Act Quickly: Cyber fraud cases can escalate fast. Report incidents immediately to improve chances of recovery and swift action.
• Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications, complaints, and relevant evidence.
• Follow Up Regularly: Due to high caseloads, follow up on your complaint regularly to ensure action is taken.

Important Contacts and Resources in India

• Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Complaint Management System: https://cms.rbi.org.in 
• CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team): Email - incident@cert-in.org.in
• Cybercrime Helpline Number: 1930
• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI): - https://www.npci.org.in