Aizawl: National Payments Corporation of India has intensified its digital safety awareness campaign to protect senior citizens amid growing adoption of digital payments. The payments body warned that elderly users are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals through digital arrest scams, fake investment schemes, phishing and vishing calls, tech support frauds, and fraudulent refund links.
NPCI said fraudsters often pose as law enforcement officials threatening arrest, or impersonate financial experts promising extraordinary returns. In phishing and vishing attempts, scammers disguise themselves as banks or government agencies to extract OTPs and login details. Tech support frauds involve calls about fake viruses, pushing victims to install remote access apps. Fraudulent refund links redirect users to fake payment pages that steal sensitive data.
The organisation advised seniors never to share UPI PINs, OTPs, passwords or bank details, and to avoid clicking unknown links or downloading apps from strangers. It stressed verifying investment firms through SEBI or RBI websites and ignoring urgent messages about KYC, SIM blocking or pension suspension. Suspected fraud should be reported immediately to the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or to banks. In Aizawl, where digital payments are steadily expanding across retail stores and local markets, traders say awareness among senior citizens remains crucial. With QR-based transactions becoming common, financial literacy and timely verification can help prevent fraud while ensuring safe participation in the city’s growing digital economy.
