No. 001 · Saturday, 10 October 2026 India's breakout searches, explained
KyunTrend

05 Tool · Tech, AI & Online Safety

Got scammed? Who to call, in order

Pick what happened. We'll show the official helpline or portal and the steps in the right order. If money has just left your account, don't read further: call 1930 now.

Official sources only (MHA/I4C, RBI, NPCI, DoT), checked 10 October 2026. Never call a “helpline” number from a search ad or social media post. Use the number in your bank's official app or on your card.

What happened?
Money just lost? Call 1930

Money left my account in a scam (UPI, fake link, “KYC” call, screen-share app)

  1. Call 1930 now. It's the National Cyber Crime Helpline, run by your state police. They log the transaction so banks can be alerted to hold the money.
  2. Note the 14-digit acknowledgement number you get by SMS (sender “XXNCRP”).
  3. Call your bank on the number in its official app, website or on your card, and ask it to block UPI, cards or net banking as needed.
  4. Complete the complaint on cybercrime.gov.in using the acknowledgement number. Upload the UTR or transaction ID, screenshots and the scammer's number or UPI ID.
  5. Also raise a complaint on the transaction inside the UPI app you used.

If you shared your OTP, PIN or password, RBI's rules say you bear the loss until you report it to the bank. Any loss after you report is the bank's. Every minute counts.

A transaction I never made (card, net banking or UPI, and I shared nothing)

  1. Block the card or channel straight away, through the bank's app or official helpline. Report the transaction to the bank and keep the complaint reference.
  2. Call 1930 too, so the money can be flagged through the national system, and complete the complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.
  3. If the bank doesn't reply within 30 days, or you're not happy with its answer, complain to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in.

Under RBI rules, if the breach was neither your fault nor the bank's and you report it within 3 working days of the bank's alert, your liability is zero. Between 4 and 7 working days, your liability is capped.

UPI failed or is stuck: money debited but not received, wrong amount, refund not credited

  1. This usually isn't fraud, so you don't need 1930. Open the transaction in your UPI app and raise a complaint there.
  2. If it isn't resolved, escalate in this order (NPCI): the app's PSP bank, then your own bank, then NPCI.
  3. After that, you can go to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in.

Keep the UTR (12-digit reference) from the transaction details. Every level will ask for it.

My bank, NBFC or wallet isn't resolving my complaint

  1. Complain to the bank or company in writing first, and keep the reference number.
  2. If there's no reply within 30 days, or you're not satisfied with it, file with the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in. It's free.
  3. For help with the process or your complaint status, call RBI's contact centre on 14448. It can't register complaints.

RBI's contact centre IVR runs 24x7. Agents are available 8 AM–10 PM, Monday to Saturday, except national holidays.

A suspicious call, SMS or WhatsApp message, but no money lost

  1. Don't click links, share OTPs or install apps the caller asks for.
  2. Report the number or message on Sanchar Saathi (Department of Telecommunications).
  3. If money has already gone, go back and pick the first option: call 1930.

Banks and the RBI never ask for your OTP, PIN or password.

Hacked account, online harassment, sextortion or another cybercrime

  1. Report it on cybercrime.gov.in, which covers all types of cybercrime and has a special focus on crimes against women and children.
  2. Save evidence first: screenshots, profile links and message IDs.
  3. If you're in immediate danger, call 112.

1930 is mainly for financial fraud. For everything else, start on the portal.

02 Official numbers

Save these

ForNumber or portalRun by
Financial cyber fraud, right now1930State police, under MHA's I4C
Full cybercrime complaintcybercrime.gov.inMHA (I4C)
Bank didn't resolve your complaint in 30 dayscms.rbi.org.in · info line 14448RBI
UPI dispute escalationNPCI UPI dispute redressalNPCI
Fraud call or SMS (no money lost)sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfcDepartment of Telecommunications

Read the full guide: Lost money online? Call 1930 first: the exact order to report UPI and cyber fraud.