ICICI Bank
has issued a cautionary notice to all its customers, emphasising the critical need to stay alert regarding
Interactive Voice Response
(IVR) calls. The bank has cited instances where
cybercriminals
have deceived customers through pre-recorded voice messages, prompting them to divulge sensitive information or access accounts by pressing designated numbers.
“Interactive Voice Response or IVR calls are pre-recorded voice messages used to engage with callers, asking them to provide and access information by pressing numbers,” said the bank.
The primary goal of IVR calls is to obtain sensitive information that can be used for identity theft, financial fraud or other malicious purposes. Once the fraudsters have obtained the information, they may use it to access bank accounts, make unauthorised purchases or commit other crimes.
How spot the scams
Along with this, ICICI Bank has also shared some techniques which the fraudsters are using to scam the customers. The customers follow these tips to spot a potential fraud. Fraud IVR calls follow the below mentioned techniques:
* Impersonation: Fraudsters often impersonate trusted organisations, such as banks, government agencies or utility companies. They may spoof caller IDs to make it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate source.
* Automated Voice Systems: Scammers use automated voice systems to imitate legitimate IVR interactions. These systems may prompt the victims to enter sensitive information such as Credit Card number, PIN or CVV.
* Urgency or Threats: Fraudulent IVR calls often create a sense of urgency or fear to pressure victims into complying with their demands. They may threaten to take legal action, suspend accounts or impose financial penalties if the victims do not provide the requested information immediately.
* Social Engineering Tactics: Scammers employ social engineering tactics to manipulate victims into trusting them. They may use personal information gathered from online sources or previous data breaches to make their calls seem more convincing.
Safety tips
The bank has also shared some safety tips which the customers should follow to stay protected from these kinds of frauds. The tips include:
* Verify the legitimacy of the caller by contacting your Bank directly
* Be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls, especially if the caller requests sensitive information or exhibits suspicious behaviour
* Never share sensitive information like your account number, card number, PIN, password or OTP over the phone, regardless of the caller's identity.
Apart from this, the bank has also asked users to immediately report such frauds to the National Cyber Crime portal or call the helpline on 1930 or call banks’ Customer Care on 1800 1080.
English (US) ·