Threat on the phone (also why linking Aadhar data is a terrible idea)
Sukesh ( name Changed)
So I just got a threat on the phone (also why linking Aadhar data is a terrible idea). Might be a bit long but please read carefully lest it happen to you as well:
So I just got a call from a random cell phone number in Delhi. The man asked if this was Mr. Sukesh. When I said yes, he said he's calling from "Master Visa Credit Card" and said my bank is offering me some benefits. When I asked him "what bank are you calling from?" he says "Nope, I'm not calling from a bank. I'm calling from your card issuer "Master Visa".
It, obviously, sounded like a fraud and I wanted to know what exactly their modus operandi was so I kept talking. He went on narrating a few "benefits" and then asked if I understood what he'd said. Then he said he was going to transfer my call to an IVR line for some details. It didn't seem to work for some reason so I said I'm not interested anymore. He suddenly said "You can't back out now because you're going to be charged 8000 rupees on your next card statement. I laughed and asked him why he was calling from a cell phone if he represents a legit company. He said "I'll call you back from a landline".
He called me from a landline immediately. Then he said the name of his company is "Easypay" and is based out of Sigore Garden, New Delhi. So I went ahead and asked him how he was planning to charge my credit card. He said "it happens through an IVR. Do you know what an IVR is?" At this point I couldn't control my laughter. I said "Dude I know this is a fraud. I'm not interested and you'd better not do this again".
He flares up. I mean he literally starts screaming. And then he says in Hindi "rukh. Tujhe dekh loonga. Tujhe dikhaata hun main kaun hun" (Just wait. I'll fix you. I'll show you who I am"). I laughed and asked him to keep talking. He said he's gonna hang up now and I'm now gonna have to bear the consequences.
The cell phone number was +91-9911 229859 and the dude's name was Praveen. The landline number was 011-4015 8025. I tried calling back on both numbers and the cell phone is switched off and the landline says its busy. A little bit of snooping showed me that there's indeed some credit card agency contracted by banks operating out of a flat in Sigore Gardens in New Delhi called "Easy Pay 4 U".
THIS is why linking Aadhar to your bank accounts is dangerous. Why? Because banks in India irresponsibly share your personal information with the dodgiest of crooks. This man knew my name. Who knows what other personal info he has? If this is the level of data protection in India, then God bless us all because it doesn't take much for someone to find out your address, your details, and then do whatever they wish to do with you.
The fact that random fraudsters have our personal details and blatantly threaten us with violence on the phone is a matter of grave concern. I don't even know if this was a mere financial fraud or something more sinister. The Government of India needs to answer how our personal info has suddenly become accessible to such criminals. In addition, the govt. now wants you to link your Aadhar with cell phones and everything else. Is the government waiting for a disaster to happen before it takes serious note of data privacy?????
I usually don't ask this but I'd really like if you'd share this. This is a case of someone accessing my personal data through a service provider and issuing a threat on the phone. Considering the audacity of these criminals, the government needs to wake up before these people hurt someone.