PIB says India Post is not running any Dak Seva Gifts offer and such messages are fake.
The scam link may ask for details or a small payment, which can lead to bank fraud.
Do not click unknown links and always check information on official government websites.
People across the country are receiving notification banners that claim India Post is giving free gifts under a programme called Dak Seva Gifts. These messages usually include a link that urges users to click and claim a reward or join a lucky draw. The government has confirmed that this claim is false. The Press Information Bureau, the official fact-checking agency, has warned the public about these misleading posts. It clarified that India Post is not associated with any such offer. Furthermore, the authorities have also advised everyone to remain careful and avoid opening unknown links, as they may be used for fraud. Always verify information through official government sources before responding online today.
How does the Dak Seva Gifts scam work?
The Dak Seva Gifts scam makes people feel excited and rushed when they aren’t. It all starts when you get a text message saying you are a lucky winner. You are told to click a link and answer a few easy questions to get your prize. This site looks like a real government page, but hackers run it, and it’s not real.
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Once you finish the survey, the site asks you to share the message with ten friends or several groups on WhatsApp. This is how the scam spreads so quickly. By the time you think you are done, the website asks for a small shipping fee or your bank details to send the prize. As soon as you enter this information, the scammers gain access to your accounts. They can then drain your balance or use your identity for other illegal activities.
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How to spot the Dak Seva Gifts fraud
The easiest way to identify this scam is by looking at the web address. Official government websites in India will always end in .gov.in. If the link you receive ends in .org, .top, or .xyz, it is a fake. Also, keep in mind that India Post never sends messages through a chat app asking for personal information, banking passwords, or payments.
Another warning sign is that you have to share the message with other people. You shouldn’t have to spam your contacts to get a government reward or subsidy. If a message tells you to send it to a certain number of people to get a gift, it’s definitely a scam.
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How to stay safe from Dak Seva Gifts scam
You can protect yourself from the Dak Seva Gifts scam by following these tips:
- Before you apply for any programme, make sure to visit the official website. Don’t believe what unofficial sources say.
- Before clicking on a link or entering any personal information, look it over carefully.
- Keep in mind that real schemes won’t ask for sensitive information like bank account numbers, one-time passwords (OTPs), passwords, or PINs.
- When you get a message, link, or call from someone you don’t know, don’t download any apps.
- To make sure the scheme is real, call India Post’s official customer service and ask them directly.
