Stay safe · India
Spot the scam before you pay, meet or send.
Short guides to the tricks run on people in India, from UPI and OLX to calls from “police”, and exactly what to do if one already worked.
Why the usual checks fail
Habits that feel safe online, and what to do instead.
Why the usual checks failA blue tick is not identity
5 min read
Why the usual checks failA screenshot is not proof
4 min read
Why the usual checks failAsking someone to verify is not rude
4 min read
Why the usual checks failCaller ID is not a person
5 min read
Why the usual checks failCheck the channel, not the vibe
5 min read
Why the usual checks failFollowers are not trust
4 min read
Why the usual checks failReviews can be bought
4 min read
Why the usual checks failSeeing is no longer believing
4 min read
Why the usual checks failSmart people fall for scams too
5 min read
Why the usual checks failStop sending your ID to prove you're real
4 min read
Why the usual checks failA small payment that worked proves nothing about the next one
5 min read
Why the usual checks failUrgency is the scam, not a detail of it
4 min read
Why the usual checks failLeaving the app means leaving its protections behind
5 min read
Why the usual checks failYour gut is not a lie detector
5 min read
Why the usual checks failA video call is not verification
5 min read
Why the usual checks failDisappearing photos don't disappear
4 min read
Before you pay someone
Payment apps, screenshots and getting your money back.
Before you pay someoneA payment screenshot is not proof: how to check you were paid
4 min read
Before you pay someoneHow to check a UPI ID is genuine before you pay
5 min read
Before you pay someoneYou never need your UPI PIN to receive money
5 min read
Before you pay someoneHow to get money back after cyber fraud in India
5 min read
Before you pay someoneMoney sent to you by mistake on UPI? How to spot the refund scam
5 min read
Buying and selling online
Marketplaces, rentals and sellers you have not met.
Buying and selling onlineOLX scams in India and how to sell or buy safely
5 min read
Buying and selling onlineFlat rent scams in India: token money, fake owners and “army officers”
5 min read
Buying and selling onlineInstagram shopping scams: how to check a page is legit before paying
4 min read
Buying and selling onlineIPL and concert ticket scams: how to avoid fake resale tickets
4 min read
Dating and romance
Fake profiles, catfishing and money requests.
Photos and privacy
What happens to what you send, and what to share.
Calls, codes and messages
Calls from “officials”, scam numbers and codes.
Calls, codes and messagesHow to check if a number is a scammer in India
5 min read
Calls, codes and messagesFedEx courier scam call: “a parcel with drugs in your name”
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesWhat is a digital arrest scam? Police do not arrest on video calls
5 min read
Calls, codes and messagesElectricity bill SMS: “power will be disconnected tonight” is a scam
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesFake customer care numbers on Google: how to find the real one
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesKYC update SMS: is your bank account really about to be blocked?
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesAnyDesk and screen-sharing app scams: why a caller wants your screen
4 min read
Calls, codes and messagesWedding invitation APK on WhatsApp: what it is and what to do
4 min read
Jobs, loans and investments
Task scams, fake recruiters, loan apps and get-rich groups.
Jobs, loans and investmentsFake job offer asking for a registration or training fee
3 min read
Jobs, loans and investmentsLoan app harassment: what to do about threats and morphed photos
4 min read
Jobs, loans and investmentsStock market WhatsApp group scams and fake trading apps
4 min read
Jobs, loans and investmentsPart-time job on WhatsApp or Telegram: how the task scam works
4 min read
For readers in the US
All US guides- Facebook Marketplace scams: how to spot them and stay safe
- How to tell if a rental listing is fake
- Someone asked for my verification code: the Google Voice scam
- Is it safe to send a picture of your ID to someone?
- Zelle scams: how they work and if you can get your money back
- AI voice cloning scams: when a loved one calls asking for money
- Told to put cash in a Bitcoin ATM? It is a scam
- Fake check and overpayment scams: why available funds can still bounce
- Fake recruiter scams: how to spot a job offer that is not real
- IRS, Social Security or Medicare call: how to tell if it's fake
- How to tell if a dating profile is fake, and how to check
- Missed jury duty call or text: is it a scam?
- USPS “package could not be delivered” text: is it a scam?
- Pig butchering scams: the wrong-number text that ends in crypto
- Puppy scams: how to tell if an online pet seller is fake
- Recovery scams: when someone offers to get your lost money back
- Romance scam signs: how to tell if someone online is scamming you
- Student loan forgiveness scams: fees, fake calls and your FSA ID
- Sugar daddy scam: why they send money first, then ask for some back
- Tech support scams: fake virus pop-ups and support calls
- Ticket resale scams: how to buy concert and game tickets safely
- Unpaid toll text: how to tell if it's a scam
- Venmo and Cash App scams: how they work and what to do