5 Diwali Scams That Can Drain Your UPI Wallet

Festive season brings fake discount links, UPI scams, and phishing traps. Knowing these 5 tricks fraudsters use can save your holiday shopping budget and your bank account.

Here's what happened: Festive seasons see a sharp surge in online fraud — fake discount sites, phishing links, and fake UPI collect requests spike every October–November.. Fraudsters use cloned websites, fake customer-care numbers, and QR code tricks to steal money or OTPs from shoppers hunting for Diwali deals.. Cyber insurance — covering UPI fraud, phishing losses, and identity theft — is available from IRDAI-approved insurers but remains underused by Indian households..

What you should do: Check every shopping URL manually — type the site address directly into your browser instead of clicking links from WhatsApp, SMS, or social media ads.. Reject any UPI collect request during a purchase — genuine payments require YOU to scan and pay, never to approve an incoming collect from a stranger.. Compare and buy a cyber insurance policy from an IRDAI-approved insurer before the festive season peaks; basic covers start at ₹800/year for ₹1 lakh protection..

If you are scammed, file an FIR and call the National Cyber Crime helpline 1930 within 24 hours — most cyber insurance claims and bank reversal requests are only valid if reported this fast.

For readers weighing their credit and loan options, our personal loan guide and CIBIL score resources put this update in context.