Uttarakhand Cyber Crime Police Station has been receiving considerable number of complaints related to illegal net banking transactions since its inception, those now manning the station say.
Such cases are on the rise in the State for the past few years. They ask the people to be cautious of calls made by those posing as State Bank of India officers and telling them that their ATM cards have been deactivated or that Adhar Card numbers are being linked with their bank accounts. They might ask for Adhar Card number and 16 digit ATM card number, they say while asking them to be wary of such calls and have things thoroughly verified. They insist that under no circumstances do the bank officials seek such information from their consumers over the phone.
Sounding concerned over such things increasingly happening here, Uttarakhand STF SSP P Renuka Devi said that the policemen working at the cyber crime police station have been given advanced training regarding the same recently to stop such incidents. “They have been directed to take prompt measures once such complaints are received,” she said.
People across the state keep receiving such calls almost daily and some of them are being duped of their hard-earned money by unidentified fraudsters if they, entrapped by them, give away their 16 digits ATM card numbers.
Cyber Police Station received many such complaints between November 18 and December 8, 2015 and succeeded in cracking some of them. The amount siphoned off by such fraudulent business amount to `1, 00, 725, she said.
Investigation reveals that fraudsters spend money on online shopping. It takes time to deliver the money to the shops concerned. If money is spent through online shopping money is held for some time.
The possibility of getting money back is optimum if the complainants provide such information immediately after the crime takes place. The possibility of getting money back is less if such reports are provided to the police stations late.
People have been appealed to provide such information to the local police station soon after they update their passbook in the banks concerned.
A police officer claimed that the people are being cautioned through various mediums to stop receiving anonymous phone calls seeking information related to their bank accounts and ATM card details.
“Despite this, such cases are on the rise in the State,” he added.
Moreover, the complainant should inform the police station soon after they come to learn that money is siphoned off by unidentified persons through illegal net banking transactions.
The chance of recovery of the withdrawn money is bleak if the complainants delay informing the police about the same, he said.