The digital age is having the frauds undergo a continuous evolution in their methods to nab unsuspecting individuals. One of the most alarming and attractive scams currently in vogue is the PAN Card 2.0 Scam.
A fraud designed to prey upon people’s dependency on digital payments to lure them into revealing sensitive financial details. Here’s how it works and how you can garner protection against such an eventuality.
What Is PAN Card 2.0 Scam?
The start of the PAN Card 2.0 scam begins with some false messages directed to a victim regarding the blocking of his or her PAN cards. Immediately after giving this information, the fraudster suggests that the particular person upgrade his or her PAN to another version called “PAN Card 2.0” in order to regain that individual using his original PAN. The whole thing becomes official with the possible impersonation of government bodies or financial institutions.
Victims are required to share their PAN number Aadhaar details and his/her bank account information. Once the fraudsters are able to get access to this sensitive data they can easily wreak havoc on the victim’s bank account which can lead to huge financial losses.
The Menace of Digital Payment Systems
Thanks to platforms such as UPI conducting transactions has for millions of users, become easy. However it does come with the flip side of increasing risk of cybercrimes. Cybercriminals do not waste time taking advantage of people’s faith in these systems.
PAN Card 2.0 culture is a fine example of such exploitation. The increasingly large numbers of people adopting digital payments only conferred an even higher need to be aware.
How to Guard Yourself Against PAN Card 2.0 Fraud
Follow these valuable steps to avoid being duped by PAN Card 2.0:
- Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages. Don’t believe unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media alerts asking for personal information. Cybercriminals often disguise their scams as urgent messages from trusted organizations.
- Do Not Click on Any Sabotage Links. Upon being sent a message about the need to upgrade the PAN card, refrain from clicking on any links. Instead, make official confirmation through the official website or customer’s service.
- Do Not Share Sensitive Information from Legitimate organizations, like your PAN number or Aadhaar details will never solicit sensitive information through phone calls or messages. Verify any such requests via trusted sources before acting upon them.
- Verify Through Official Channels. If you receive any official-looking messages regarding your PAN, check with the government website or your bank’s customer service. Taking that extra step to verify could save you from being duped.
NPCI’s Awareness Initiative:
Stay Alert, Stay Safe
NPCI has started the #MainMoorkhNahiHoon campaign, which is very relevant considering the phenomenal rise in digital frauds these days. The campaign has been designed to sensitize users about digital frauds including that of the like of PAN Card 2.0 and make people alert.
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