Beware! This Mobile App Can Help Fraudsters Take Away Your Money

The bank is alerting its users about a possible scam which can be used to steal your money.

Apps that let you remotely control devices may not be safe after all.

(Photo: The Quint)

With advent of digital banking via mobile apps increasing by the day, hackers are obviously prowling around for smallest of mistakes made by users, who can lose money under their noses.

And this week, HDFC Bank has made a public announcement, warning its users that a mobile app, used for remotely controlling devices, has the wits to steal from their bank account. The controversial app is called AnyDesk.

It is available on Android and apparently, as mentioned by the bank, is capable of getting hold of user’s confidential bank details if you share the 9-digit code generated by the app to give access to your device.

This is what HDFC is sharing with its consumers:

Beware! Fraudsters may ask you to download AnyDesk App and share a 9-digit code which gets them access to your phone to steal money. Do not share your card details / OTP / PIN with anyone and report any unusual activity immediately to the bank

HDFC Bank statement

In its official mailer, sent to over millions of its account holders, HDFC Bank also highlighted the possible scenarios in which the possible cyber theft can happen on your account.

This is the 9-digit code you should not share.(Photo: The Quint)

You might either receive a phone call from a person claiming to be a representative of a bank or tech company helping you with any issues related to mobile banking apps. This person will then ask the user to download the apps like AnyDesk, giving him/her remote access to all the activities on your phone.

The security settings of the app aren’t convincing enough.(Photo: The Quint)

Once they’ve entered your device, the person will then share a text with alphanumeric code with the account holder, giving him the right to make financial transactions from the app. After this, the fraudster can then link his UPI account to yours and make multiple payments to himself, which you cannot stop.

A warning regarding the app was also shared by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) earlier this year and it is recommended that users of other banks in the country should also stay away from this app.

How Can You Avoid Getting Digitally Robbed?

Thankfully, HDFC is not only warning its users of the scam in play, but also making them aware of the ways they can avoid falling into this trap.

1. If you have downloaded the AnyDesk app, uninstall it right away.
2. Better to setup app lock for making payment via apps.
3. Do not share your banking passwords or store them in your mobile handset.
4. card expiry date, OTP, ATM pin, bank account details, etc
5. Do not install mobile apps requested by strangers.
6. Do not forward any unsolicited SMS received on a request of so-called representative from a tech company/bank.