Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Journalism of Courage
Premium
This is an archive article published on August 26, 2023
Verify e-challan message’s legitimacy before making payments: Faridabad police to public
DCP Headquarters and Cyber Crime Officer Hemendra Kumar Meena said that one can verify the legitimacy of an e-challan by visiting the website mentioned in the message.
The officer said that by clicking on the links sent by cybercriminals, users unwittingly grant hackers access to their mobile devices. (Representational Image)
Listen to this article
Verify e-challan message’s legitimacy before making payments: Faridabad police to public
x
00:00
In response to a surge in cybercriminal activities exploiting the growing popularity of e-challan payments, the Faridabad police have stepped up measures to protect citizens, officials said.
DCP Headquarters and Cyber Crime Officer Hemendra Kumar Meena told reporters Friday that people should not make any hasty replies to e-challan messages they receive on mobile phones. He advised verifying the message’s legitimacy before making any payments, emphasising that quick responses could lead to financial losses.
Meena explained that cybercriminals are crafting counterfeit messages that closely resemble legitimate ones, complete with a deceptive link below the payment message. This is how they trick victims into believing their challan is valid and can be paid by clicking the provided link, the officer told reporters.
“Genuine e-challan messages include critical vehicle-specific details like engine and chassis numbers. They direct users to the official government site: https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in/. In contrast, fraudulent messages subtly alter the link, removing “.gov” to make it appear as https://echallan.parivahan.in/. It’s essential to ensure that the payment link ends with “.gov.in” for authenticity,” Meena stressed.
The officer said that by clicking on the links sent by cybercriminals, users unwittingly grant hackers access to their mobile devices. Once in control, these criminals rapidly drain bank accounts or debit/credit card balances.
Meena highlighted that authentic e-challan messages always include vehicle-specific details, while fake ones lack this vital information. Moreover, legitimate e-challan messages are never sent from random mobile numbers, the officer pointed out.
To verify the legitimacy of an e-challan, Meena recommended visiting the website mentioned in the message. In the face of this rising cyber threat, the Faridabad police are urging citizens to exercise caution when dealing with e-challans to shield themselves from falling prey to these deceptive schemes.
Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Advertisement
Live Blog