Fraud is taking place in the name of subscription in OTT platforms and gaming. symbolic photo
Chaitanya Thakur, Shimla. Be careful...free trial today, silent auto-debit tomorrow. This is the new ‘subscription scam’. With the increasing use of digital services, a new cyber threat is rapidly emerging in the state. Cyber thugs are silently deducting money from people's bank accounts. Especially in Shimla, Kullu, Solan and tourist areas, people are being trapped by giving fake or misleading free trial offers in the name of online apps, OTT platforms, fitness apps and gaming services. The police have made this revelation on the basis of complaints received in the cyber police station.
They lure you with a free trial first.
According to cyber cell, miscreants first lure users with a free trial, in which permission is taken for card details, UPI, auto pay or net banking. Auto debit starts without any clear notice as soon as the trial period ends. In many cases, users do not realize for months that small amounts are being deducted from their accounts, which later turns into huge financial losses.
Being cheated by not reading the conditions of auto renewal
Cyber experts say that fraudsters especially target such users who click on 'Agree' while installing the app and do not read the terms of auto renewal.
The State Police Headquarters has issued an alert terming this trend as a serious cyber financial risk. Himachal Police Chief DGP Ashok Tiwari said that cyber criminals are now using small auto-deduction models, due to which the victim does not immediately suspect. Citizens of the state should read the complete terms before allowing any free trial, app subscription or auto pay. If money is being deducted from any account without your knowledge, then immediately file a complaint with the bank and cyber crime portal.
Police have also warned that fraud is being done through fake websites and fake apps, Google search and internet media advertisements. Shimla Cyber Police Station has received many such complaints in recent months, in which users have complained about auto-deduction in the name of OTT, editing apps, cloud storage and gaming platforms. In many cases, the amount was deducted through foreign payment gateways, which also complicated the refund process.
Experts say that starting with auto-deduction of small amounts like Rs 10 to 99, so that the user does not get immediately suspicious. Later this amount keeps getting deducted every month. This is considered to be a 'low-visibility fraud model' of cyber fraud, which is spreading rapidly.
Identify subscription scams like this
keep yourself safe like this
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