New Cyber Fraud Trick: Accounts Being Emptied Without OTP or Debit Card
New Cyber Fraud Trick: Accounts Being Emptied Without OTP or Debit Card
Jharkhand case exposes risks of Aadhaar-linked bank accounts being misused through biometric scans
Cyber fraudsters have devised yet another way to siphon off money from bank accounts, this time without using debit cards or OTPs. In a shocking incident from Garhwa district, an elderly woman lost ₹10,000 after being duped under the pretext of receiving benefits from the PM Kisan Yojana.
According to reports, the fraudsters approached the woman claiming they would help her access government benefits. During the process, they carried out an iris scan in the name of verification.
Since most bank accounts are now linked with Aadhaar, the biometric details were enough for the criminals to directly access her account and withdraw money. The woman only realised the fraud when she later visited the bank and discovered the missing balance.
The case has sparked concern, highlighting how Aadhaar-linked accounts, while convenient, have opened new avenues for cyber fraud. Unlike traditional scams involving OTPs or debit cards, criminals are now exploiting biometric authentication such as fingerprints and iris scans to carry out thefts.
Experts have advised citizens to exercise caution with their Aadhaar details. They recommend avoiding unnecessary sharing of personal documents and instead using a virtual Aadhaar ID, which can be generated through the UIDAI website. In addition, UIDAI offers an option to lock biometrics, preventing misuse of fingerprints or iris data. However, users must manually unlock the feature whenever required and remember to re-lock it afterwards.
Officials warn that while this added step may seem inconvenient, it is a critical safeguard against fraud that could otherwise lead to serious financial losses.
