IRCTC Fraud Alert! Save your money! Don't do these things, not even a Google search, says official advisory

Banks are regularly advising customers to not share their confidential financial information like account number, debit card number, ATM PIN etc. Now, Indian Railways' ticketing arm IRCTC has also started alerting customers against frauds. In e-mails sent to registered users, IRCTC said, "Customers are advised in their own interest not to disclose any confidential information related to their Account number, ATM card, PIN, TPIN, CVV no. UPI details over phones/SMS/ e-mails, no matter how convincing/appealing such calls, mails may be. There are attempts fraudulently withdraw money from your accounts."

If you receive any call from an unknown number claiming to be an IRCTC representative, you should not entertain such a call. If the person asks for personal or security information then you should immediately report the number and never share any details. 

IRCTC also said that it never makes phone calls, sends e-mails/SMS asking customers to disclose their personal or security information such as username, password, OTP, Card/PIN/CVV no, UPI Details for any refunds, TDR or any other case.

The E-ticket cancellation refund process on IRCTC website is fully automatic. There is no human intervention required in the refund process. Hence, users are requested not to share their account details in any form.

"Users are requested not to share their booking and cancellations details on social media platforms to avoid misuse by miscreants," IRCTC said. 

IRCTC has also advised users not to search Google or other similar platforms for IRCTC-related queries. These platforms may contain links posted by miscreants which may lure you into a trap. IRCTC said, "Users are also requested not to search Google and other similar platforms for IRCTC related queries as these platforms contain many miscreant mobile apps and solutions aimed at misusing user credentials. Users should refer to IRCTC website for all ticketing and refund related queries."

The online ticketing arm of Indian railways has told customers, "IRCTC never asks your personal banks details for any reasons. Sharing personal Details May lead to frauds."