Scam Safety
Check a message before you reply, learn how the common scams work, and know what to do if money has gone.
Check it first
Scams to know
Digital arrest scam
A caller posing as police, CBI or customs says you are under “digital arrest” and must pay to clear your name. How it works and what to do.
UPI scam
Collect requests, “scan to receive” QR codes and “paid you by mistake” messages. How UPI scams work and how to stop one.
KYC update scam
A message says your bank account, card or SIM will be blocked today unless you update KYC through a link. How to tell it is fake.
Courier and parcel scam
A message about a held delivery and a small fee, or a call about a seized parcel in your name. How courier scams work.
Electricity bill scam
An SMS says your power will be cut tonight over an unpaid bill and gives a mobile number to call. How to check it.
Investment and trading scam
WhatsApp or Telegram groups with “stock tips” and a trading app showing big profits you can never withdraw. How to check before investing.
Part-time job and task scam
Paid to like videos or rate hotels, then asked to deposit money for “prepaid tasks”. How task scams work.
Instant loan app scam
Quick-loan apps that take your contacts and photos, add hidden charges and then harass you and your family. What to do.
WhatsApp and Instagram scam
A friend asks you to forward a six-digit code, or asks for money urgently from a new number. How account takeover scams work.
Fake customer care number scam
You search for a helpline and reach a scammer who asks you to install a screen-sharing app. How to find the real number.
Lottery and prize scam
A message says you won a lottery, a car or a lucky draw, with a fee to claim it. Why there is nothing to claim.
Video-call blackmail scam
A stranger video-calls, records it, and threatens to send an edited clip to your contacts unless you pay. What to do, and why not to pay.
Not on this page? Ask Guard
Tell Guard what happened in your own words and get what to do now, the next step and help nearby.
Every guide linked here lists its sources and its review status. How we verify