Common Phone Scam Calls in India
and How to Block Them
India reported over 11 lakh cyber fraud cases in 2024, with phone call scams among the top methods. Knowing the scripts these scammers use — and how to block them — is your best protection.
Last updated: July 2026 · 7 min read
The Most Common Scam Call Types in India (2026)
KYC Update Fraud
"Your bank account/SIM/Aadhaar KYC has expired. Share the OTP to update it or your account will be blocked."
What's happening: OTP is used to transfer money, take over the account, or port the SIM. Banks and TRAI never ask for OTPs over calls.
Digital Arrest Scam
"This is CBI / TRAI / Customs. A package with drugs was found in your name. You are under digital arrest. Stay on the call or you will be arrested."
What's happening: No government agency conducts "digital arrests." This is a psychological trap to keep you on the call while scammers impersonate officials and extort money.
Fake Courier / FedEx Scam
"Your FedEx / DTDC parcel contains illegal items. You need to pay a fine or give your Aadhaar details to clear it."
What's happening: Courier companies never call to demand payment or personal details. These calls often lead to digital arrest scripts after the initial hook.
Electricity Disconnection Threat
"Your electricity bill is overdue. Your connection will be cut in 2 hours. Press 9 to speak to an officer."
What's happening: Scammers who answer collect payment details or install remote-access apps (AnyDesk, TeamViewer) after you press the key.
Prize / Lottery Fraud
"You have won ₹25 lakh in the KBC / government lottery. Pay ₹5,000 in taxes to claim your prize."
What's happening: No legitimate lottery asks winners to pay fees upfront. The prize doesn't exist.
Fake Bank Customer Care
"This is [Bank] fraud department. Your account is being accessed. Share your card number and CVV to freeze it immediately."
What's happening: Real bank fraud teams block the card first and then call you. They never ask for your CVV, full card number, or OTP.
The Universal Rule: Hang Up and Call Back
If any caller claims to be from a bank, government agency, courier company, or telecom provider and asks for money, OTPs, card details, or remote access to your phone — hang up immediately. Then call the official number of that organisation yourself (from their website or the back of your card) to verify if the call was real.
Legitimate organisations never mind if you hang up and call back. Scammers will pressure you to stay on the line.
How to Block Scam Calls on Android in India
Enable spam protection in your Phone app
Open the Phone app → Settings → Caller ID & spam → turn on "Filter spam calls." This uses Google's database to identify and silence known scam numbers before they ring.
Use Truecaller
India's largest caller-ID database. Truecaller identifies most Indian scam numbers and lets you block entire number series. Enable spam call blocking in Truecaller settings.
Register on DND (Do Not Disturb)
Call 1909 or visit trai.gov.in to register your number on the TRAI DND registry. This blocks most telemarketing calls, though sophisticated scammers use unregistered numbers.
Block specific number series
Most KYC and bank scam calls originate from +91 mobile numbers in bulk. If you see repeated calls from a series (e.g., 9871XXXXXX), block the range using your phone's built-in number blocker.
Never install apps a caller asks you to install
If any caller tells you to install AnyDesk, QuickSupport, or any remote-access app, end the call immediately. This is always fraud.
Already Fallen for a Scam Call? Do This Now
Call your bank immediately
Report the fraud and block your card. Most banks have 24-hour fraud lines: SBI 1800-11-2211, HDFC 1800-202-6161, ICICI 1800-1020, Axis 1800-419-5555.
File a cybercrime complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
Report on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call helpline 1930. Do this as fast as possible — funds transferred via UPI can sometimes be frozen if reported within hours.
Uninstall any remote-access app you installed
Go to Settings → Apps and remove AnyDesk, TeamViewer, AnyConnect, or any app the caller told you to install. Change passwords for all accounts accessed on the device.
Change all account passwords
Change your Google account password, all banking app PINs, and WhatsApp. Enable two-step verification on WhatsApp immediately.
Protect Elderly Family Members
Digital arrest and KYC scams disproportionately target elderly people. Add them to your Raksha family circle so you can check in if they're not responding, and set up a family rule: any call asking for money or personal details gets verified with a family member before anything is done. Scammers rely on isolation and urgency — a quick WhatsApp to a child or sibling breaks both.