Elderly Man Loses Life Savings While Updating KYC: Scam Alert
An alarming case of online fraud unfolded in Kolkata involving an 83-year-old retired government official who lost his life savings amounting to Rs 2.5 lakh. SP Sinha, residing in Thakurpukur, Kolkata, fell prey to a cunning phone call from a fraudulent individual posing as a bank representative from the branch where Sinha held his pension account.
The deceitful caller, claiming to be stationed at "table number 3" in the same bank branch, contacted Sinha under the pretext of verifying his KYC details online. Recalling the incident, Sinha mentioned, "On the afternoon of 11 November, I received a call from someone claiming to be from my bank branch."
Trusting the caller's authenticity due to specific details provided about his account and the purported verification process, Sinha complied with the instructions. He sought help from his 11-year-old grandson to complete the online KYC update as directed. However, after the call ended, Sinha was shocked to discover a debit of Rs 2,57,650 from his account, losing access to his fixed and recurring deposits as well.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance, as banks and legitimate institutions do not conduct financial transactions or seek personal details over phone calls. They often emphasize caution and advise against sharing sensitive account information over the phone. As cybercrimes surge, individuals are advised to update their KYC information through secure online banking portals or, for added security, visit the bank branch for any updates.
The process to update KYC online typically involves logging into the bank's online portal, selecting the "KYC" tab, choosing the "Update KYC" option, making necessary changes, uploading required documents, and submitting the updated information. Validation often requires an OTP sent to the registered mobile number, ensuring the security of the transaction.
