Aapka KYC Expire Ho Gaya Hai” — OTP Dena Mat! The 5 Digits That Can Empty Your Bank

Kirandeb Bera
Jul 18
2 min read

Introduction

It starts with a simple phone call or SMS:

"Sir, your bank KYC is expiring today. Please share the OTP to continue your services."

You feel panic. You receive an OTP. You share it.

Within seconds, your account is empty.

This is not a hacker in a hoodie. This is a social engineer — a scammer who plays with your trust, not your system.

What is an OTP Fraud?

OTP stands for One-Time Password — used to confirm transactions or secure your accounts. But if you share it with the wrong person, it becomes a One-Time Payment to the fraudster.

Scammers pretend to be:

Bank officials
Mobile network representatives
UPI app support teams
Government portals (like Aadhaar, PAN, GST)

Their goal? To sound official and get your OTP.

Real Case:

A 67-year-old man from Mumbai got a call from “SBI Helpline.” He was told that his account would be frozen unless he updated his KYC.

A link followed. He clicked it, entered his account details. When asked for the OTP, he shared it over the call.

Within 60 seconds — ₹80,000 vanished from his account.

What They Say vs What They Mean

Scam Line	Hidden Intent
"Your KYC is expired."	Fear tactic
"We’ll help you fix it."	Gain your trust
"Just share the OTP quickly."	Steal your access
"We are from the RBI helpline."	Fake identity

How to Stay Safe

OTPs are like digital keys — never share them, even with known people
No bank, government, or UPI platform ever asks for OTP over call or SMS
Don’t click on random links. Always type the official website URL
Install caller ID apps (like Truecaller) to detect fraud calls
Report any suspicious message/call to cybercrime.gov.in

Conclusion

You can recover from a missed call, but not from a stolen OTP.The moment you share your OTP, you give scammers the master key to your bank account.

Even if the call sounds official — pause, verify, and protect.

“OTP Means One Time Protection — Not One Time Payment to Fraudsters!”