KEY POINTS

The scam begins with a phone call from someone claiming to have your number from a mutual acquaintance.

They will insist that your friend is calling from an alternate number and request that you merge the calls to connect with them.

The second call you merge, however, is actually an OTP call initiated by your bank, not from your friend.

Picture this: you get a phone call from a person who claims to have thrilling news or an invitation that you will want to hear about. The caller insists they obtained your number from a friend and that this friend is attempting to reach you from another line. At first glance, it appears to be a harmless conversation. But what if this scenario is a cleverly devised scheme aiming to defraud you of your hard-earned money? A new call merging scam is currently spreading, designed to deplete your bank balance before you even grasp what is happening.

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which was created by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has recently raised an alarm regarding this scam on its X (formerly Twitter) account. To safeguard yourself, it is essential that you understand how this scam operates and what preventative measures you can take.

Understanding the Call Merging Scam

In the mechanics of this scam, a fraudster contacts you, stating they received your number from a mutual friend. They claim that this friend is attempting to reach you from a different number and recommend that you merge the calls for a connection. What you may not realize is that the second call you are merging is, in reality, a One-Time Password (OTP) call coming from your bank, cleverly disguised as a call from your friend. The scammers orchestrate the timing so that as you merge the calls, you inadvertently disclose your OTP. With this information, they are capable of finalizing transactions and pilfering your funds.

For further reading, you may also want to check out: A man loses Rs 9.4 lakh in a scam that started with fake product reviews—discover the full story here.

Tips for Staying Secure

In order to shield yourself from falling victim to this scam, consider implementing these straightforward yet effective security measures:

• Avoid merging calls from unknown numbers: If someone requests that you merge calls, particularly if the conversation likely involves financial matters, exercise supreme caution.
• Always verify claims: Should anyone assert they are calling on behalf of a friend, it’s wise to confirm this with your friend via a separate call or message.
• Stay alert concerning OTP requests: If you receive an OTP for a transaction that you did not initiate, refrain from sharing it with anyone.
• Alert authorities about suspicious activities: Should you harbor any suspicions of fraud, be sure to report it immediately by dialing 1930, the national cyber crime reporting helpline in India.

For more insight, check out: How a Noida family lost over Rs 1 crore and became the latest victim of a digital scam—read more here.