This story is from June 29, 2020

Haryana Police issues advisory against using rent payment apps

Haryana Police issues advisory against using rent payment apps
Representative image
CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Police have issued an advisory requesting citizens to verify credentials of the rent payment apps before initiating any online payment process as cyber fraudsters may try to siphon off funds from bank accounts using these platforms.
Advising the people to be aware of such scammers, the Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, Manoj Yadava said that a new trend of cyber crime came to the fore after online apps facilitated rent transfer using credit/debit cards.
The rent payment apps like NoBroder Pay, CRED, RentPayment, which are in significant demand, allow tenants to pay rent directly to the landlord account using credit or debit card by charging convenience fees.
“As rent is probably one of the biggest expenses borne by individuals on a monthly basis, the citizens must pay close attention to every detail of online payment to protect themselves from such scammers, he added.”
Explaining the modus operandi, Yadava informed that first; these fraudsters’ opened an account with a rent payment app and registered themselves as landlord with his or her own account number. Then they call the victim and trick him or her to provide card details. As soon as the fraudster gets the details, he initiates a rent payment process through the app which resulted in siphoning off funds from credit/debit card.
Suggesting a series of precautionary measures, the DGP added that people must verify credentials of the app as well as the landlord before initiating any online payment. If notice any fraud, they immediately contact the customer support of the rent payment app as such a transaction may be stopped if contacted within the permissible time of unauthorized withdrawal. The people should refrain from sharing their credit/debit card details to anyone over phone calls/WhatsApp or text messages. Installation of remote access software like any desk, quick support etc. should also be avoided.

Taking cognizance of the growing menace of cybercrime, the DGP informed that the state Police force is making all out efforts to curb cybercrime effectively. The state government had already started the process of upgrading the network of cybercrime police stations. The Haryana government has already accorded approval for setting up six new cybercrime police stations, one each at five police Range Headquarters (Rohtak Range, Hisar Range, Karnal Range, Ambala Range, South Range Rewari) and one at Police Commissionerate Faridabad.
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About the Author
Ajay Sura

Ajay Sura is Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India Chandigarh. He covers news concerning the State of Haryana, Punjab & Haryana High Court and Defence & Military Affairs. He likes to analyse political developments and decoding judicial pronouncements. His hobbies include travelling, mountaineering and trekking.

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