Man scammed of Rs 4.1 lakh in cab booking fraud: How a simple Google search led to the loss
A man from West Bengal fell victim to a scam while trying to book a cab in Udupi, Karnataka, losing Rs 4.1 lakh after clicking a fraudulent car rental link on Google. The incident highlights the need to be vigilant online and protect card details to avoid fraud.
In today¡¯s digital world, scams have become an unfortunate staple of daily life. New scams emerge almost daily, and even the most tech savvy among us can fall victim to these increasingly sophisticated traps. Recently, a man was targeted while doing something as routine as booking a cab. Here¡¯s what happened and what you need to know to stay vigilant.
The incident occurred when the man, hailing from West Bengal, was attempting to book a cab in Udupi, Karnataka via a Google search.
A TOI report reveals that the man, while searching for a car rental service on Google, clicked on a link for "Shakti Car Rentals."
Soon after, he was contacted by someone claiming to be a representative, Rohit Sharma, who asked him to pay a Rs 150 registration fee via the website.
When the man tried to pay using his debit and credit cards, he didn¡¯t receive the OTP needed to complete the payment.
However, shortly afterward, he received alerts showing withdrawals from his accounts.
According to bank notifications, Rs 3.3 lakh was taken from his SBI credit card and Rs 80,056 from his Canara Bank debit card, totaling Rs 4.1 lakh.
The Udupi Town police station has registered a case, and an investigation is ongoing.
What is debit/credit card fraud and how can you protect yourself?
Credit: Unsplash
Debit and credit card fraud happens when scammers gain access to your card information through methods like phishing, card skimming, malware, fake websites, or social engineering. They use these details to make unauthorized purchases or access your accounts.
How to protect yourself:
- Avoid sharing card details over the phone or through email.
- Use secure websites (look for HTTPS) and avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.
- Monitor your account regularly and enable transaction alerts.
- Be cautious of suspicious links, emails, or apps, and report lost or compromised cards immediately.
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Srishti B Dutta brings you everything from rags-to-riches tales and inspiring student success stories to those "No way, this can't be real!" moments. Whether it's intriguing, heartwarming, or just plain quirky, she's got it covered.
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