Hackers could hijack your life through one phone call: See how this merging calls scam work.

Scams of call merging: how they work.
Cybercriminals came up with new ways of scamming individuals, the call scam merging trick is one of the newest concerns in cybercrime. Scammers manipulate people by connecting scam phones calls, allowing them to intercept voice OTPs to hijack accounts and sometimes take control of devices. They hacked Gmail and WhatsApp with this technique, and expose the victim's sensitive personal information, including passwords, locations and stored media.

The National Payments corporation of india (NPCI) also warned UPI users to be cautious of unknown callers when they asking for call merges.

Step-by-Step process.
1. Gaining Trust: Scammers gain trust through a name that sounds familiar to their target or through some credible reference. They offer the target an exciting opportunity or invitation for an exclusive event, making the target at ease.
2. The call merge Trick: Asking the victim to merge calls, the scammer claims that someone trustworthy is on the line and wants to join in the conversation. Thus, it legitimizes their demand.
3. Stealing the OTP: After the call merged a one-time OTP password is generated and played aloud, the scammer is already on line with victim. They hear the OTP in real time, the scammer will use the OTP to access the victim's account.
4. Locking the Victim out: When it comes to WhatsApp hacking, the frauders immediately activate two-factor authentication within the conspiracy, locking the victim out of their account for a minimum of seven days. During this time, they will use the hijacked identity to run additional scams on others peoples while presenting the victim's name.

So how can you stay safe?
1. Avoid merging calls: If someone asks you to merge another person's call into this conversation, be careful. Offer to call both contacts yourself but separately.
2. Watch out for fake calls: Fraudsters have the capacity to mimic phone numbers and even their voices with AI technology. If you feel something is not right, hang up the call and verify it independently.
3. Secure your voicemail: Fraudsters can manipulate OTPs with voicemail and come back to it again to collect it. So set a very strong PIN into voicemail that is not accessible to anyone.
4. Keep OTPs private: Maintain a separate phone number for social networking and banking OTPs. It thereby makes it quite less hazardous for them to be available upon compromise.
5. Limit financial transactions: Set transactions limits on UPI, foreign remittance and withdrawals to minimize loss due to fraud.

If you are scammed then what to do.
1. Act fast: Call on 1930 and report the offense to the helpline for cyber fraud within hours to maximize chances of recovery.
2. Alert your bank: According to RBI directives, informing the bank within three days increases chances of recovery. Freeze suspicious transactions.
3. Pursue legal action: Scammers can be imprisoned for a period of three years on under section 66 of the IT Act. There can also be additional charges for financial loss or emotional distress.

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