Vodafone Idea warns all users against KYC frauds: Here’s what you need to know and how you can stay safe

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has issued a warning notice to all its customers reminding them to be aware of scammers who have been asking people to update their KYC details. The company said - “It has been brought to our notice that some Vi customers are getting SMS and Calls from unidentified numbers asking them to update their KYC immediately.” And this is not restricted to Vi, Bharti Airtel also issued an alert recently asking users to be careful about fake SMS and calls from scammers who have been telling them that their SIM cards will be blocked if they do not update their KYC. Reliance Jio has also been sharing alerts about this but has not reported anything specific yet.

The modus operandi of these scammers is as follows - the scammers will call you up and tell you that you need to update your KYC details since your SIM card will be blocked if your details are incomplete, or haven’t been updated, or have expired. They will then push you to share details with them over the phone, or email it to them, so as they can do it for you. Most unsuspecting customers fall for this and share their details and this leads to rather disastrous results.

“These fraudsters, at times, disguise as company representatives and threaten unsuspecting users with SIM block if KYC is not done. They may also seek certain confidential information from customers, in the name of verification,” Vi said.

“Vi cautions all our customers against such unauthorised Calls and SMS. Vi customers are advised to not give their KYC details or share any OTP with anybody on a call, and should not call back on these numbers or click on any link mentioned in the SMS,” the warning added.

Vi has also advised all users to not click on any unverified links or share any details that could lead to data and information theft. “All customer communication from the company is only done from the SMS ID ‘ViCARE’. Any SMS being acted upon which is not originating from ‘ViCARE’ is strictly not advisable. Vi is committed to being the most trusted and valued partner for our customers and businesses to succeed in a digital world,” Vi said.