In this scam, the fraudster calls you saying they’ve got your number from a mutual friend.
They claim your friend is calling from a different number, and they ask you to merge the call to connect with them.
But that second call is actually an OTP call from your bank, not your friend.
Imagine receiving a call from someone who claims to have an exciting opportunity or an event invite for you. They say they got your number from a friend and that your friend is trying to reach you from another number. Sounds harmless, right? But what if this is a trap to steal your money? A new call merging scam is making the rounds, and it can drain your bank account before you even realise it.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has issued an urgent warning about this scam on its X (formerly Twitter) account. Keep reading to know how this scam works and what you can do to stay safe.
How the call merging scam works
In this scam, the fraudster calls you saying they’ve got your number from a mutual friend. They claim your friend is calling from a different number, and they ask you to merge the call to connect with them. But that second call is actually an OTP call from your bank, not your friend. The scammers time it perfectly, so when you merge the calls, you end up unknowingly sharing the One-Time Password (OTP). Once they have your OTP, they can complete the transaction and steal your money.
Also read: Man loses Rs 9.4 lakh in scam that started with fake product reviews, here’s what happened
How to stay safe
To protect yourself from this scam, follow these simple yet effective safety measures:
- Never merge calls from unknown numbers: If someone asks you to merge calls, especially involving financial discussions, be cautious.
- Verify before acting: If someone claims they are calling on behalf of a friend, confirm with the friend through a separate call or message.
- Be wary of OTP requests: If you receive an OTP for a transaction you didn’t initiate, do not share it with anyone.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect fraud, report it immediately by calling 1930, the national cyber crime reporting helpline in India.
Also read: Lost over Rs 1 cr! Noida family becomes latest victim of digital scam, here’s what happened
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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
