ATM fraud, cyber crime worries RBI

SHILLONG, FEB 4: With increasing number of cyber crimes or ATM related frauds in the state, the Shillong branch of the Reserve Bank of India, said the Internet and social networking sites have become favourite hunting ground for miscreants who commit frauds and dupe many unsuspecting members of public of their hard earned money in Meghalaya.

Meghalaya Police have also reported large number of cases and registered FIRS where fraudsters have cheated the gullible members of public by sending fictitious offers through emails, letters, mobile phones, SMSs etc.

But what is worrying the RBI is despite repeated pleas and advisories issued by the it and the police urging people to be cautious, there has hardly been any decline in number of cyber frauds or ATM related frauds.

Shillong branch of RBI in its effort to make the public vigilant of such frauds, has conducted awareness programmes across the state to disseminate the information about nefarious activities of such fraudsters.

The RBI has issued notice that it never sends mails, SMSs or makes calls asking for personal information like bank account details, passwords, etc. It neither keeps nor offers funds to anyone.

The RBI also informed the public not to be deceived in joining multilevel marketing/chain marketing/pyramid structures scheme as this has been banned under Prize Chit and Money Circulation (Banning) Act, 1978. Sometimes, criminals claiming to be bank employees will call informing that credit card or debit card has been deactivated and will ask for pin numbers for reactivation.

Public have been warned not to disclose any information about their credit card or debit card especially the pin numbers.

Through networking sites like Facebook, miscreants befriend the people and after gaining their confidence, they will ask the people to deposit money because the gifts they sent were confiscated by the custom officials or agencies.

The RBI has warned the public to be vigilant of such tricks and not become victims to such fraudsters.-By Our Reporter