HDFC Issues Warning For Customers: DON’T Click on Unknown Links… Deets Inside

HDFC Bank Alert: To keep its customers' money safe, HDFC has issued an alert cautioning customers to never click on unknown links which ask them to update their PAN card details.

New Delhi: With a surge in usage of digital modes of payment in recent years especially during the Covid-19-induced lockdowns, the number of frauds reported in retail financial transactions has also gone up. Thus to keep its customers’ money safe, HDFC has issued an alert cautioning customers to never click on unknown links which ask them to update their PAN card details. “#GoDigitalGoSecure and never click on unknown links asking you to update your PAN card details”, the bank tweeted.

#GoDigitalGoSecure and never click on unknown links asking you to update your PAN card details.

Visit: https://t.co/UJ16AYZqG4#BankSafe #StaySafe #SecureBanking pic.twitter.com/eXn0LOoePN

— HDFC Bank (@HDFC_Bank) June 10, 2022

This is termed as a phishing scam wherein fraudsters create a 3rd party phishing website that appears to be a legitimate website, such as a bank’s website, an e-commerce website, a search engine, etc. Scammers send links to these websites via SMS, social media, email, Instant Messenger, and other channels. Many customers click on the link without first checking the detailed Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and enter secure credentials like Personal Identification Number (PIN), One Time Password (OTP), Password, and so on, which are tracked and used by fraudsters.

Precautions Against Phishing Attacks

• Do not click on unknown, unverified links and immediately delete such SMS, emails sent by unknown senders to avoid accessing them by mistake in future.
• Unsubscribe the emails providing links to a bank, e-commerce, or search engine website and block the sender’s e-mail ID, before deleting such emails.
• Always go to the official website of your bank, or service provider. Carefully verify the website details, especially where it requires entering financial credentials.
• Check for the secure sign (https with a padlock symbol) on the website before entering secure credentials.
• Check URLs and domain names received in emails for spelling errors. In case of suspicion, inform.