Nepal Rastra Bank Birgunj branch has warned the public to be vigilant, saying that incidents of digital scams are increasing in the area.

At a press conference organized by the branch in Birgunj on Friday, Branch Manager Sushil Poudel said that digital frauds involving relationships, investments, employment, unexpected money, purchases and fake identities are increasing rapidly. He said that scams are usually committed through SMS, phone calls, emails, social media, websites and direct contact. According to Poudel, during the scam, there are 'red flags' such as the temptation to earn easy money, unnatural language, suspicious links or files, pressure to make quick decisions, unauthorized payment requests and demands for new Pay-ID. He said that ignoring such signs can lead to information leakage, financial loss and mental stress.

He said that incidents like data theft, digital arrest, taking control of mobile or computer through remote access, and withdrawing money from bank accounts are increasing due to digital scams. Emphasizing on financial discipline, Poudel urged users not to share their usernames, passwords, PINs, and OTPs. He suggested using secure emails, SMS, devices, networks, and applications, adopting strong passwords and multifactor authentication, and being aware of the permissions given to apps.

He also suggested three simple ways to avoid digital scams. These include not giving out money or personal information if in doubt, checking whether the received message or call may be fake, and immediately informing the bank, police, and relevant regulatory bodies in case of fraud.