The NPCI's Top 5 Safety Guidelines for Safe Online Payments During The Holidays

News Desk, News Nation 360 : Festivals are occasions for celebration, giving, and heightened buying activity. Both online and offline channels provide tempting discounts, limited-time bargains, and cashback programs to promote speedy purchases. In this holiday rush, many people may act rashly to grab a 'too good to be true' deal. Scammers are aware of these behavioural characteristics and frequently exploit them through social engineering. As scams change with technology and awareness, a few precautionary measures can help users have a safe and seamless experience. To shop safely online during festive periods such as Diwali, keep these important tips in mind: Shop only from official apps or websites by entering the URL directly or through authentic apps, and not through links in emails or SMS that can be malicious. Make all payments within the official platform's checkout page and check the seller's information to ensure against payment fraud using external UPI links. Be cautious with free vouchers and cashback offers; never share OTPs or sensitive information, as genuine offers don’t require upfront fees or personal data. Treat any unexpected OTP request as a warning sign since OTPs confirm transactions initiated by you; banks never ask for them over calls or messages. Do not act under pressure from urgent messages claiming offers will expire or accounts will be blocked—take time to verify. Adhering to the "Stop, Think, Act" rule—stopping to check before acting—prevents sensitive data and secures transactions. Furthermore, refrain from downloading attachments from questionable sources, implement two-factor authentication, do not use public Wi-Fi for payments, and opt for cash-on-delivery if possible. Redoing these steps can prevent scams, reduce risk, and have a secure, hassle-free festive shopping experience.

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