Hyderabad: The Cyber Crimes Police of Hyderabad has issued a public advisory warning citizens about a sharp rise in One-Time Password (OTP) frauds. Criminals are using calls, SMS, WhatsApp messages, fake customer-care numbers, and phishing websites to trick people into sharing OTPs, leading to unauthorized access to bank accounts, digital wallets, credit cards, and personal data.The common tactics include fake bank or KYC update calls, bogus cashback or refund offers, fake customer-care contacts, fraudulent job or loan approvals, UPI Collect scams, SIM swap frauds, and e-commerce return or delivery scams. Fraudsters request OTPs under various pretenses, which then allows them to steal money or personal information.

The Cyber Police advised citizens never to share OTPs, avoid responding to unknown calls or messages, and never approve UPI requests from unverified sources. It is recommended to verify customer-care numbers from official websites or apps, not from Google searches or social media. Users should also enable SIM locks, device security features, and bank alerts. Suspected frauds should be immediately reported to the National Cybercrime Helpline (1930) or online at cybercrime.gov.in. For regular updates, follow Cyber Crimes Hyderabad on Facebook, Instagram, and X.