Approximately 15 billion spam links are sent daily worldwide, and despite growing awareness, one-third of these links are still opened. Although they may seem harmless, clicking on them can have serious consequences. These links often lead to URL phishing, where emails redirect you to fake websites designed to steal sensitive information like login credentials or financial details. The site may appear familiar and legitimate, but it’s intended to exploit your trust and gather personal data.Phishing is responsible for 32% of all data breaches and 78% of all cyber-attacks.
To protect yourself, follow these simple steps to file online fraud complaint in India:
Table of Contents:
1. Where can you get these phishing links ?(Online Fraud Complaint)
Phishing links can look like normal ones, making it hard to differentiate between legitimate and spam. They can appear on various platforms and devices, including:
- Emails: The most common format, often disguised as important official emails or offers
- Social Media: Highly vulnerable, often spreading through posts or messages.
- Text Messages: These links often appear as messages from fake companies or disguised as authentic ones like utility providers or insurance companies.
- Websites:Pop-ups, especially on adult content sites, can be dangerous and prompt you to enter personal information.
- Advertisements: Banner ads or pop-ups that lead to fake sites.
2. What Happens If You Open The Spam Link?
Before filing an online fraud complaint in India, know what are the consequences of clicking a spam link. Spam links usually leads to various types of hacking threats on your device.Here we will talking about few of those :
- Malware Infection: This is the most common outcome. Clicking a spam link can install malicious software on your device, which can steal your personal information or display random advertisements on your desktop or phone. There are virtually no limits to the damage corrupt software can do.
- Phishing Attacks: These links often lead to fake websites designed to steal personal information. You might be tricked into entering your login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive data, leading to financial fraud and cyber blackmail.
- Data Theft: Some spam links are designed to directly steal data from your device, including your browsing history, personal files, or contact list.
- Subscription Traps: Clicking on a spam link might subscribe you to unwanted services, resulting in unexpected charges on your phone bill or credit card.
3. How can you identify phishing websites?
Most online fraud complaints in India are caused due to phishing websites .Phishing websites are fake websites that usually replicate any other famous website. But here are a few things to notice that will help you to identify the differences between fake and original websites :
- Message Seems Legitimate: Even if an email looks authentic, always log in to your account from a separate browser tab rather than clicking on the email link. Carefully type the URL to ensure you’re on the correct site. Treat any sense of urgency in an email as a red flag. Legitimate sites expect promptness but won’t cause panic or set unreasonable deadlines.
- Suspicious Link: Double-check the website link for spelling mistakes or numbers where letters should be. For instance, 0ffice.com is not the same as Office.com. Also, ensure the website suffix is correct; payabill.net is not the same as payabill.com.
- Pop-ups: Some phishing emails direct you to a real website but activate a pop-up window requiring your credentials. Be extra cautious when signing in through a pop-up. While legitimate sites sometimes use pop-ups, many have eliminated them due to general distrust.
- Fake Password: If you’re unsure about a site’s legitimacy, try entering a fake password the first time you log in. A real website will deny your sign-in attempt, whereas a fake one will let you log in, revealing its fraudulent nature.
4. What to Do If You’ve Already Clicked on a Link?
Usually if you don’t put your details in the link or drop any OTP is won’t be create a big problem.Sometimes these links lead to unwanted advertisements.But it is important to stay calm and try to minimise the damage.Filing an online fraud complaint in India is the last step but before that here are few immediate steps to maintain :
- First, back out of the page, clear browser history, and then disconnect your device from the internet.
- Scan your device for malware and check for:
– Any unknown apps
– Accessibility settings
– Screen overlay settings
– Permissions
– Downloads
- Take immediate backup of anything important that can be attacked.
- Change every password possible, specifically social media account passwords.
- Alert your contacts to not open any link or anything shared from you to keep them safe from cyber attacks.
- If you clicked on the link on any social media platform then go to the helpline and register a complaint of hacking and let them take action on this.
- Constantly check for notifications and if any amount is debited from the bank just call the helpline number of the bank to block your credit and debit cards.
- Delete sensitive data and format the device if the threat persists.
5. What Happens If Nothing Happens Immediately-Should You Still Be Aware?
If nothing happens immediately , it is still possible that there will be a threat that has been disguised in the form of malware or bug. Do these steps regularly:
● Check for any unknown app or file that has been downloaded.
● Run security checks regularly and clear cache data.
● Stop sharing sensitive data for a while.
● Change passwords of everything possible.
● Keep checking for security alerts from the system.
6. How to Fight Legally Against Phishing Attack ?
To report an online fraud complaint in India, first gather all relevant data as proof. Then, file a complaint at the nearest police station with necessary documents, including details of any transactions or identity theft. For online assistance, follow these steps:
- Call the national cyber crime helpline at 1930: Provide necessary details such as your name, contact information, and details of the complaint.
- To file online complaints in India on the Govt Portal, follow these steps:
1. Open your web browser and go to https://cybercrime.gov.in .
2. Click on ‘File a complaint’ on the homepage.
3. Read and accept the terms and conditions.
4. Click on ‘Report other cybercrime’.
5. Select ‘citizen login’ and enter your details like name, email, and phone number.
6. Enter the OTP sent to your phone and fill in the captcha, then click ‘Submit’.
7. Fill in the form with details of the cybercrime. The form has four parts: General Information, Victim Information, Cybercrime Information, and Preview.
8. Review and preview the information you’ve entered to ensure it’s correct.
9. Click on ‘Submit’ after reviewing.
10. On the incident details page, provide supporting evidence like screenshots or files and click ‘Save and Next’.
11. If you have any information about the suspect, fill it in the suspect details section.
12. Verify the information and click ‘Submit’. You’ll receive a confirmation message and an email with your complaint ID and details.
7. What Documents Are Needed to File a Report for Cyber Fraud or Phishing Case?
If you’re filing an online fraud complaint in India related to online transactions, lottery scams, ATM transactions, fake calls, or internet banking, you’ll need to attach the following documents:
– Proof of the alleged fraudulent transactions
– Supporting evidence like bank statements
– Address and ID proof
– Any suspicious messages or emails you have received
8. How Kanoon Can Help You with Cyber Phishing ?
In most cyber crimes, time is critical. Taking prompt action can minimise damage. Staying calm is equally vital, as it’s easy to panic and lose focus. Kanoon360 is here to support you. Kanoon is the fastest legal consultation platform to file an online fraud complaint in India. We guide you through tough times when you might feel overwhelmed. Get consultation from experienced lawyers with just one click. We make the process hassle-free and efficient, helping you get justice faster.
To raise awareness, we are providing a few examples of phishing attacks to help you recognize their patterns:
- Ayushman Bharat Phishing Attack: Scammers use the government’s health coverage scheme to trick users. A message claims free insurance for 10 crore people, asking them to register via a link that steals personal information.
- ICICI Bank SMS Phishing Scam: Users receive fake texts claiming to be from ICICI Bank, with links to capture login credentials. Vigilant customers and the bank’s measures prevent the scam. OTP scams ask users to share OTPs, leading to financial loss.
- Instagram Phishing Attack: An email posing as a two-factor authentication request includes a verification code and a link. Clicking the link and entering account details allows attackers to capture the information.
- Electricity Board Phishing Attack: Users get an SMS claiming their electricity bill is due, with a link to pay. This link is used to steal payment information.
When everything is going wrong, trust Kanoon360 and don’t hesitate to report online fraud complaints in India. No matter how small the inconvenience, we will fight together and ensure every challenge is addressed legally. Connect with us today!