These simple steps will keep you safe from cybercrimes and online fraudsters

HYDERABAD: Cybercrime is on the rise. People are losing money because they fall for the deceptive words of fraudsters. The Telangana police believe this is due to a lack of awareness about cybercrimes. A little awareness and caution can protect you from online scams.

Here are a few tips to stay safe from online frauds:

• Never share with strangers any OTP received on your mobile phone.
• Never click on any suspicious links sent to your phone and do not share your personal information in such links.
• Do not believe anyone who claims to have won a prize or a lottery and requests payment in advance to claim the same.
• Never install any remote apps such as Any Desk or Quick Support for KYC updates or any other reason.
• If you are a jobseeker, do not believe anyone who asks for money upfront in order to find work through online job search portals. Anyone who offers a job will never ask the employee for money.
• Do not believe anyone who claims that using an online investment platform would yield two to three times more returns on your investment.
• Scanning QR Codes sent by strangers is not recommended. When you scan a QR code, you are sending money from your account. You will never earn money by scanning QR codes.
• Do not believe strangers on matrimonial websites/social media and do not accept valuable gifts from them. Don't send money to claim the same gifts in advance.
• Do not accept friend requests from strangers on any social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Messenger, as scammers may take your photos and videos and use them to extort money from you by morphing them.
• If you suspect cybercrime, call the helpline at 1930 right away.
• Report cybercrime to the Telangana Cyber Crime Coordination Centre at www.cybercrime.gov.in.