A fake text message usually creates urgency, asks you to click a link or call a number, and pretends to come from your bank, a courier, a government office or an employer. To stay safe, do not click the link, do not share OTPs or PINs, and check the claim in the official app or website. If you get a suspected fraud message, report it on Chakshu at Sanchar Saathi, and if money is already lost, call 1930 immediately and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
Quick answer
- Warning signs: urgency, threats, unknown links, requests for OTP, PIN, card or KYC details, and offers that look too good to be true.
- First rule: never click a link or call a number in a message you did not expect.
- Verify: open your bank or service app yourself, or use the number printed on your card or the official website.
- Suspected fraud, no loss: report on Chakshu at sancharsaathi.gov.in.
- Money lost: call 1930 at once and file at cybercrime.gov.in.
- Unwanted promotional spam: dial or message 1909, or use the DND settings with your operator.
10 signs of a fake text message
- It creates panic. “Your account will be blocked today” or “your electricity will be cut tonight”.
- It asks for sensitive data. Real banks never ask for your OTP, PIN, CVV or password by SMS or call.
- It has an odd link. Short links, misspelled domains and long strings of letters are red flags.
- It comes from a normal mobile number when it claims to be a bank or a government office. Many real alerts come with a sender name (header), but headers can also be faked, so judge the content too.
- It has spelling or grammar mistakes or an unusual tone.
- It promises money, gifts or a refund you did not expect.
- It asks you to install an app or an APK file. Fake apps can steal data and read your messages.
- It says you have a pending parcel, fine or KYC update and asks for a small “fee”.
- It offers a job for easy online work, with payment first.
- It tells you not to tell anyone or to act immediately.
Common fake SMS scams in India
| Scam type | What the message says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Bank KYC or account block | “Update your KYC or your account will be blocked” | Open your bank’s app; never click the link |
| Courier or delivery | “Your parcel is held, pay a small fee” | Check the courier’s official site with your tracking number |
| Electricity or utility bill | “Your power will be cut tonight, call this number” | Check your bill on the official app |
| FASTag or toll | “Update your FASTag KYC now” | Use only your bank’s or NHAI’s official channel; see our FASTag KYC guide |
| Refund or UPI request | “Approve this request to receive your refund” | You never enter a PIN to receive money; see our UPI safety guide |
| Fake job offer | “Earn daily by liking videos” | Do not pay anything; check the company yourself |
| Fake loan or credit offer | “Pre-approved loan, pay a processing fee” | Verify the lender; see how to check if a loan app is RBI registered |
| Digital arrest or police threat | “A case is filed against you; stay on video call” | End contact; read what is digital arrest |
How to check if a text message is real
- Stop and do not click. Take a screenshot if you want to report it.
- Look at the sender and the wording. Check if it matches what the company normally sends.
- Do not call the number in the message. Use the official number from the company’s website, your card or your passbook.
- Open the official app or type the website address yourself, and check your account or order there.
- Preview the link safely. On a computer, hover over the link, or paste it into a link-check tool without opening it. If the domain does not match the company, it is fake.
- Ask someone you trust if you are unsure. Scammers rely on you acting alone and fast.
For how scammers also use OTPs, read our guide to OTP scams in India, and for fake apps used in KYC fraud, read how to safeguard against fake apps and KYC fraud.
What to do if you clicked a link or shared details
Act fast. The first minutes matter most.
- Call your bank using the official number, and block your cards, UPI and net banking.
- Call 1930, the national cybercrime helpline, and report the fraud.
- File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in and keep the acknowledgment number.
- Change your passwords for email, banking and any account that shares the password. Turn on two-factor login.
- Remove any app you were asked to install, then run a security scan.
- Tell your telecom provider if you think your SIM or number is being misused.
- Keep proof: screenshots of the message, the link, the number and any transaction messages.
How to report a fake or spam text message in India
| Situation | Where to report |
|---|---|
| Suspected fraud message, no money lost | Chakshu on the Sanchar Saathi website or app (sancharsaathi.gov.in) |
| Money already lost | 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in |
| Unwanted promotional SMS or calls | 1909 (call or SMS) or your operator’s DND service |
| Repeated spam from the same sender | Report each number you receive it from, with a screenshot |
How to report on Chakshu: open the Sanchar Saathi website or app, choose the option to report suspected fraud communication, select call, SMS or WhatsApp, pick the category, add the sender’s number, date and a screenshot, and submit. Sanchar Saathi also covers other citizen tools such as blocking lost phones.
Report spam inside your messaging app:
- Google Messages (Android): open the message, tap the menu, and choose Report spam or Block and report spam.
- iPhone: for iMessage, tap Report Junk below the message; for regular SMS, block the sender and report through Sanchar Saathi.
Menu names can differ by phone and app version.
How to spot a fake letter or notice
Fake letters and notices follow the same pattern as fake texts:
- They claim to be from a bank, tax office, court or company, but come with no official reference you can check.
- They ask you to call a number or pay a fee to avoid a penalty.
- The letterhead, logo or language looks off, and the contact details do not match the real organisation’s website.
- They ask for money in a personal account or gift cards.
Always contact the organisation using the number and address on its official website, never those printed in the letter.
How to protect yourself in the future
- Install and update the official apps of your banks, and turn on transaction alerts.
- Use Android’s built-in protections; see our guide to Android’s new security feature that protects users from scams.
- Do not share your phone number on unknown websites.
- Turn on DND for promotional messages through your operator.
- Teach family members, especially older relatives, the signs above.
FAQs
How can I identify a fake text message? Look for urgency, requests for OTPs or personal data, unknown links, a normal mobile number posing as an institution, and spelling errors. Verify through the official app or website, not through the message.
How do I report a fake SMS in India? Report suspected fraud messages on Chakshu at sancharsaathi.gov.in. If you have lost money, call 1930 and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
How do I report spam text messages? Dial or message 1909, use your operator’s DND service, or use the report spam option in your messaging app.
What should I do if I clicked a fake link? Do not enter any details. If you did, call your bank at once, block your cards and UPI, change passwords, call 1930 and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
Do banks send links by SMS? Some real alerts include links, but you should still open the official app or type the website yourself. Banks never ask for your OTP, PIN or CVV.
Is there a fee to report fraud? No. Chakshu, the 1930 helpline and cybercrime.gov.in do not charge a fee.
Can I get my money back? The sooner you report, the better the chance of stopping or freezing the transfer, but recovery is not guaranteed. Call 1930 right away.
How do I spot a fake letter? Check the sender’s details on the organisation’s official website, be wary of urgent demands for payment, and never use the phone number printed in the letter.
Conclusion
Most fake text messages can be spotted with one question: did I expect this, and is it asking me to act fast or share something private? If so, stop, verify through the official app, and report it. If money is lost, call 1930 immediately.
Helpline numbers and portals are from official government sources and can change. Verify on sancharsaathi.gov.in and cybercrime.gov.in. Reviewed on October 28, 2026.
