Singer Chinmayi Reveals Elderly Relative's Account Wiped Out in Online Scam: 'No OTP Shared

Playback Singer Chinmayi Sripaada Exposes Online Scam That Drained Elderly Relative's Bank Account Through Malicious Link

Chinmayi Sripaada, a prominent playback singer known for her work in the South Indian film industry, has issued a warning about a concerning online scam that targeted one of her elderly relatives using a malicious link.

Sharing her experience on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Chinmayi revealed, "I witnessed firsthand the impact of The Fake TNEB-Bill-Pay Scam. An elder family member's bank account was completely wiped out. The alarming part is that this happened without sharing any OTP. It was almost as if they had direct access to the phone. A single click on a link and the damage was done."

Other netizens also chimed in, sharing their own encounters with similar scams. One X user recounted an incident involving a retired government employee in Hyderabad who lost over 12 lakhs within hours after clicking on a WhatsApp link with an APK file. The scammer posed as a Tata Play employee, and the transaction occurred without an OTP.

Another user advised caution, urging people to refrain from clicking on links from unfamiliar sources, whether received through WhatsApp, direct messages, or SMS. They highlighted a case where a friend's bank account was emptied within hours after clicking a suspicious link.

Chinmayi Sripaada further advised those with elderly parents who use smartphones for banking to exercise vigilance. She emphasized the importance of discouraging parents from sharing their phone numbers, which can potentially be linked to bank accounts at various merchants and shopping stores.

To protect against such phishing attacks, here are five crucial tips:

1. Always verify the authenticity of links before clicking, especially from unknown sources or suspicious messages.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) whenever possible to add an extra layer of security to accounts.

3. Never share One-Time Passwords (OTPs), PINs, or personal information over the phone or through messages.

4. Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts, and avoid easily guessable ones.

5. Stay updated on the latest scams and security threats to maintain awareness and protection.