Ordering groceries online has made life easier, but a recent cyber fraud case in Bengaluru is a reminder to be careful when seeking refunds. In the Blinkit curd scam, a 56-year-old homemaker reportedly lost ₹98,000 after trying to get a refund for a damaged packet of curd ordered through the grocery delivery platform. Here’s what happened.
How A Refund Request For Curd On Blinkit Led To A Scam
According to The Times of India, the woman had ordered curd on October 17. When the packet arrived in a damaged condition, she informed the delivery agent, who advised her to contact customer care.
What happened next turned a routine complaint into a costly ordeal.
She searched online for Blinkit’s customer care number and called one of the numbers she found. The person who answered allegedly assured her that a refund would be processed and sent her a link on WhatsApp.
She was asked to upload a photograph of the damaged curd packet, which she did. Soon after, another person called her, claiming that the refund was being processed. He then asked her to open her digital payment app and check her account balance.
According to the complaint, when the woman entered her password, the app suddenly disappeared from the screen. She soon discovered that ₹98,000 had been debited from her bank account.
Realising she had been cheated, she approached the police. The Central Cyber Crime police in Bengaluru have registered a case and are investigating the incident.
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How To Stay Safe From Fake Customer Care Scams
This incident is a reminder that even a small refund request can expose you to fraud if you are not careful. Fraudsters often pose as customer care executives and use fake contact numbers or suspicious links to gain people’s trust.
If a product arrives damaged or you need a refund, raise a complaint through the official app or website instead of relying on unverified customer care numbers found through search engines.
Be cautious of links sent by unknown numbers on WhatsApp, and never share your banking passwords, UPI PINs or OTPs with anyone claiming to be a customer care representative. A refund request should not require you to reveal sensitive banking credentials.
If you notice an unauthorised transaction, contact your bank immediately and report the suspected cyber fraud by calling 1930 India’s national cybercrime helpline.
Also Read: Maharashtra Milk Scam: How To Identify Adulterated Milk After 2.3 Cr Litre Synthetic Milk Crackdown
Sometimes, all it takes is one unverified call or link for a simple online transaction to turn into a financial nightmare. So, please stay alert and stay safe!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/AlexKosev (representative image)
FAQs
How can you request a refund for a damaged product ordered online?
You can raise a complaint through the official app or website and follow the platform's refund process.
How can you identify a fake customer care number?
Verify customer care details through the company's official website or app. Avoid relying on unverified numbers found through search engines or social media.
What should you do if you become a victim of an online payment scam?
Contact your bank immediately to report the transaction and call India's national cybercrime helpline at 1930. You can also file a complaint on the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.