For the past few months, updates related to the 8th Pay Commission have been in the news. The Pay Commission is an ‘Administrative Body’ of the Government of India that recommends increases in salary, allowances, and pensions of central government employees approximately every 10 years. Due to new updates, central employees are eager to know their increased salaries. Cyber fraudsters are taking advantage of this opportunity to commit fraud. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) has also issued an alert regarding this. Today in the ‘Cyber Literacy’ column, we will discuss the ‘8th Pay Commission Salary Scam’. Along with this, we will learn: Question- What is the ‘8th Pay Commission Salary Calculator Scam’? Answer- This is a cyber fraud where scammers send fake messages on WhatsApp to government employees and pensioners. They ask users to download an APK file under the pretext of providing information about salary increases. When users download and install this file, scammers gain access to their mobile phone and empty their bank accounts. Question- What warning has the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) issued to alert people about this scam? Answer- I4C has stated that: Fake messages are being sent in the name of ‘8th Pay Commission Salary’. These messages ask users to download APK files, which are dangerous. Such files can steal mobile data and sensitive bank-related information. Therefore, do not click on any unknown links or files. Only get information from official sources. Report any suspicious messages immediately. Question- How are scammers trapping people in the ‘8th Pay Salary Calculator Scam’? Answer- See in the graphic how scammers execute this fraud-
Question- Why do people fall so easily for scammers’ tricks? Answer- Actually, people are curious to know how much money will increase in their account after the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission. Scammers take advantage of this curiosity and greed. Question- Who are the scammers targeting in the ‘8th Pay Salary Calculator Scam’? Answer- Scammers are specifically targeting central government employees in this. Pensioners are also on the scammers’ radar. See the complete list in the graphic- Question- How does mobile get hacked by downloading APK file? Answer- APK is a file used to install Android apps. Question- What should we do to avoid any such cyber scam? Answer- I4C has given some advice for this. See all tips in the graphic- Question- What are the red flags in scammers’ messages? How to identify them? Answer- According to I4C, there are several red flags in scammers’ messages, see in the graphic- Question- What to do if APK gets downloaded by mistake? Answer- Do these things immediately if this happens- Question- What security settings should be kept on in mobile phones to avoid such unauthorized apps? Answer- Turn on these settings in mobile phone- Question- How to immediately secure bank account if you suspect a scam? Answer- Do these things immediately- Question- Where and how to file a complaint for such cyber fraud? Answer- File complaint like this-
