Women Savings Account

What is a Digital Arrest?

A Digital Arrest is a modern cyber scam where fraudsters impersonate officials from the Police, CBI, or Cyber Crime departments, falsely accusing victims of being involved in criminal or money-laundering activities.  
 

tick-iconDo's
close-iconDon't

• Hang up immediately

• Verify via official sources

• Report the incident

• Share OTP or bank details

• Transfer money to "SAFE" accounts.

• Trust "Digital arrest" threats.

How it Works:  

  • Fake Calls & Video Calls Fraudsters pose as police, CBI, RBI, or government officials. They claim you or a family member is linked to a crime and show fake IDs, documents, or arrest warrants to appear genuine.
  • Creating Fear - They warn that your bank accounts will be frozen or you will be “digitally arrested.” You are told not to inform anyone and to stay isolated. They may also ask you to transfer money digitally.
  • Financial Interrogation Victims are asked to reveal:
    • Bank balances
    • Fixed Deposits
    • Long-term investments
    Fraudsters then pressure them to break FDs, liquidate savings, and prepare funds for “verification” or “bail.”
  • Forced Branch Visits To avoid digital tracking, fraudsters instruct victims to visit bank branches and:
    • Withdraw cash
    • Transfer funds to a so‑called “safe account” (Note: no such account exists) 
    They also tell victims not to speak to bank staff.
  • Money Extraction Victims end up withdrawing or transferring their savings under pressure. Once money is received, the fraudster disconnects and disappears.

What to Do if you receive a fraud Communication?

Report Fraud. Protect Yourself. Protect Others

Use the Chakshu feature on the Sanchar Saathi portal or Mobile App to report the fraudulent communication (WhatsApp/SMS/Call) to the Department of Telecommunications.
 

Victim of a Fraud? 
Follow the LBW Rule:

L - Law enforcement: Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930

B - Bank: Inform HDFC Bank immediately, Call HDFC Bank Phone Banking at 1800 258 6161.

W - Wipe: Reset device & change passwords

Steps to Report Fraud:

Bank Helpline Numbers Report to Cybercrime department by reaching 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in Sanchar Saathi Portal

Always Use Official HDFC Bank Helpline Numbers

📞 Toll-Free Numbers (1800 2600, 1800 1600, etc.)

  • • Can be dialled from anywhere using an India’s SIM only.​
  • • Do not add prefixes like +91 or 91.​
  • • Do not modify / remove or add any digits.​

Note: Toll-free 1800 numbers are not accessible from international numbers.

📞 Non-Toll-Free Number (+91 22 6160 6160)

  • • Dial the number exactly as it is.​
  • • Do not alter or remove any digit.

🔒 Security Reminder

HDFC Bank will never call you from its helpline numbers.​

If you receive a call from a number resembling our helpline,​ do not share any personal banking information.​

​✔ Always Verify​ Before calling, visit the official HDFC Bank website​ to confirm the correct helpline number.

➕ 1600 Series:​

  • • Always pick calls from bank’s transaction monitoring numbers starting with ‘1600’

Dial 1930​ - This national helpline is available for reporting online financial frauds. Victims are advised to report unauthorized transactions to their bank immediately and contact 1930 without delay.

How to File a Cyber Crime Complaint Online?

STEP 1: Go to http://www.cybercrime.gov.in/

STEP 2:Click on “Report Cyber Crime” on the menu​

STEP 3:Click on “File a Complaint”

STEP 4:Read the conditions & accept them​

STEP 5:Create Login ID by registering your mobile number & state​

STEP 6:Fill in relevant details about the offence & file a complaint​

What is Chakshu – Sanchar Saathi Portal?​
Chakshu is an initiative under the Sanchar Saathi portal that enables citizens to report suspected fraudulent communications intended to defraud telecom users. It covers cybercrime, financial frauds, impersonation, and misuse through calls, SMS, or WhatsApp for non-bonafide purposes. ​

How to File an Online Complaint on Chakshu?​

  1. Visit the Sanchar Saathi portal at www.sancharsaathi.gov.in​
  2. Click on Citizen Centric Services and select “Chakshu – Report Suspected Fraud & Unsolicited Commercial Communication (SPAM)”​
  3. Click on Report Suspected Fraud Communication (for communications received within the last 30 days) and proceed by clicking Continue for Reporting​
  4. Select the medium and category of the suspected fraud communication​
  5. Provide details of the suspected fraud communication. (Uploading a screenshot of the communication is optional)​
  6. Verify your mobile number using OTP and enter your name​
  7. Check the declaration box before submission​
  8. Click the Submit button to complete the request

The portal follows a proactive and reactive approach - it enables proactive reporting of suspected fraudulent communications and supports reactive action by authorities to curb misuse and prevent further harm.​

Always Pause • Think • Act before every step. 

Watch More

Key Tips for Fraud Prevention & Mitigation: 

  • There is NO such thing as a “digital arrest” under the Indian law.
  • SMS from HDFC Bank will only come from sender HDFCBK / HDFCBN & NEVER from a 10-digit mobile number.
  • Links within HDFC Bank SMSs will only come from the hdfc.bank.in domain.
  • Always pick calls from HDFC Bank’s transaction monitoring + service numbers starting with “1600”.
  • If you have received an email from us and you don't think its, genuine forward it to - report.phishingsite@hdfc.bank.in
  • Enable two-factor authentication on all banking, payment and stock trading apps. Regularly check app permissions and remove access for apps you don’t trust.