5 Key Safety Tips To Ensure Secure Digital Payments For Festive Purchases

Festivals are a time of excitement for many, particularly because of many attractive deals shoppers get on e-commerce platforms. From food, cloth to other essentials, deals and discounts come in for all kinds of purchases.

Now, with the feasibility of online payments due to easy digital channels, such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which allows transactions with just a scan and tap on your smartphones, it is ever more necessary to keep some precautions in mind.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recently shared a few reminders that can help you stay alert while making digital payments this festive season:

1. Stick to official websites: Starting with the basics, shoppers must ensure they shop on official websites and apps, especially during festive sales. Fraudsters often create lookalike pages that can be hard to distinguish from real ones.

It’s safer to type the website address yourself or open the official app rather than relying on links shared through messages or social media. Also, avoid downloading attachments from unknown sources; those files can sometimes hide harmful software designed to steal information.

2. Do Not Make Payments Outside Platforms: Another common trap appears when sellers or links ask you to make a payment outside the platform. You may be told to transfer money directly to a UPI ID or scan a QR code to “save extra charges.”

That’s a red flag. NPCI advises completing every transaction only within the platform’s secure checkout page and confirming that the seller details match what’s shown officially.

3. Be Wary Of Offers That Are Too Good To Be True: Free vouchers, cashback messages, or festival rewards often sound too good to ignore, but they are worth a pause. Scammers frequently send messages offering huge cashback or lucky draws that ask for small “fees” or personal details.

Real offers never need OTPs or bank information. When in doubt, take a moment to verify with the company’s official customer care before doing anything else.

4. Do Not Fall For Fake OTPs: Be especially careful with unexpected OTP requests. If you haven’t initiated a payment and still receive an OTP, don’t share it with anyone. Fraudsters often pose as bank representatives, saying your payment failed or your account is blocked. Remember, OTPs are only for transactions that you start — no legitimate bank or app will ever ask for them over a call or text.

5. Avoid Panic And ‘Urgent Pay Purchases’: Finally, do not let urgency dictate your decisions. Many scams rely on panic, messages that claim your account will be suspended in an hour, or that a discount ends in ten minutes. Real companies don’t use such pressure tactics. Take a breath, check the source, and act only when you’re sure.

The pro tip to stay safe while shopping online this festive season?

You should always - Stop, Think, Act. Stop the moment something feels off, think before sharing information, and act only after confirming the authenticity of the request.

Being a little cautious can save a lot of trouble, and help you enjoy your festive shopping without any unpleasant surprises.