Bengaluru woman loses Rs 2 lakh after pressing ‘1’ on fake IVR call
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Sumitra (name changed) received a call from an unknown number around 3:55 PM on January 20.
She assumed the call was from SBI since the name appeared on the display, and she had an account with the bank.
The automated voice on the call announced that Rs 2 lakh is being transferred from your account.
Imagine receiving a call from your bank, warning you about an unauthorised transaction. Panic sets in, and you quickly follow the instructions to stop it. But instead of securing your money, you end up losing it. That’s exactly what happened to a 57-year-old woman in Bengaluru, who was scammed out of Rs 2 lakh after responding to a fake Interactive Voice Response (IVR) call.
Keep reading to know how the scam unfolded and how you can avoid falling for such frauds.
How the scam unfolded
Sumitra (name changed) received a call from an unknown number around 3:55 PM on January 20. She assumed the call was from SBI since the name appeared on the display, and she had an account with the bank.
Also read: Maharashtra man loses Rs 54.9 lakh in online job scam: Here’s how to avoid such frauds
The automated voice on the call announced that Rs 2 lakh is being transferred from your account. If this transaction was made by you, press 3; if not, press 1. Shocked and confused, Sumitra initially did not respond. The message repeated multiple times, prompting her to press ‘1’ to report the unauthorised transaction. Immediately after, the call ended. When she checked her bank account, Rs 2 lakh had already been debited, reports TOI. She rushed to the bank, where the manager advised her to call the cyber helpline 1930 and file a complaint.
Also read: Woman loses Rs 1.32 cr after trusting a WhatsApp message: Here’s what happened
How to avoid falling for such scams
- Verify before you act: If you receive an IVR call about an unauthorised transaction, hang up and contact your bank directly.
- Do not share personal details: Banks never ask for sensitive information like OTPs, PINs, or account numbers over calls.
- Use official channels: Always use the official helpline or visit your bank branch for urgent banking issues.
- Report immediately: If you suspect fraud, call the cyber helpline number and file a police complaint as soon as possible.
Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile