STOP — CHECK — VERIFY — THEN ACT

Scams are becoming smarter every day, especially on Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, online marketplaces, gaming apps, and mobile banking services. The best protection is to verify first, trust slowly, and never share secret information. ### 🛡️ 10 practical tips to avoid scams 1\. Never share your OTP or PIN Never give anyone your bKash, Nagad, Rocket, bank OTP, PIN, password, or recovery code—even if they claim to be customer support. 2\. Don't click suspicious links Fake prize offers, account warnings, delivery messages, and login pages may steal your information. Open the official app or website yourself. 3\. Verify payments independently Never trust screenshots of payment receipts. Check your actual account balance or transaction history before providing goods or services. 4\. Avoid guaranteed-profit offers Be suspicious of anyone promising guaranteed returns, easy money, or huge profits from investments, gaming apps, or crypto. 5\. Verify callers and identities Scammers may impersonate police, banks, business owners, or customer-care agents. Hang up and contact the organization through its official number. ![Cyber Swachhta Kendra: Day-05 Cyber Security 6\. Check profiles before trusting them New accounts, copied photos, fake reviews, and unusual payment requests are warning signs. Verify the person through another trusted channel. 7\. Never install unknown remote-access apps Do not let strangers control your phone or computer, particularly while you are logged into banking or mobile financial services. 8\. Be careful with advance payments Verify sellers, booking details, and business ownership before sending money. Use trusted payment methods and keep receipts. 9\. Secure your accounts Use unique passwords, enable two-step verification, update your phone, and set a strong screen lock. 10\. Don't let urgency control you “Pay now,” “your account will be blocked,” and “this offer expires in five minutes” are common pressure tactics. Pause and verify. ### 🇧🇩 If you suspect a scam in Bangladesh * bKash/Nagad/Rocket: Contact the provider through its official app or verified customer-care channel immediately. * Banking fraud: Contact your bank to secure or block affected services. * Cybercrime or financial fraud: Preserve messages, phone numbers, transaction IDs, screenshots, and receipts. Report the incident to the relevant provider and Bangladesh Police. * If you already sent money: Act quickly. Contact your financial provider to ask whether the transaction can be stopped or traced. Do not pay anyone who promises to recover your money for an upfront fee. ### Remember this simple rule STOP — CHECK — VERIFY — THEN ACT If someone asks for money, passwords, OTPs, sensitive photos, or urgent action, stop and verify their identity independently.