Stay safe › Scams
Fake traffic challan and bill messages
"Your challan is pending, pay now" or "Electricity will be cut tonight." The link or app steals your OTPs and money.
How it works
A message says you have an unpaid traffic fine, or that your electricity will be disconnected because of an unpaid bill. It includes a link, a PDF or an app (.apk) to “pay now”. The page is fake. Some steal your card details and OTP; the apps can read your SMS messages, so the scammers get every OTP that comes to your phone.
The official warning
In July 2026, PIB Fact Check warned that fake e-challan messages sent by SMS and WhatsApp, with links, APK files or PDFs, can expose OTPs and lead to unauthorised transactions from bank accounts, UPI apps and wallets. It advised people to check pending challans only on the official Parivahan e-Challan portal, and not to install apps shared through these messages.
The rule
Never pay a fine or bill from a link in a message. Open the official site or app yourself and check there.
If it has already happened
- Don't pay through the link. Uninstall any app you installed and switch off mobile data.
- If you entered card details or an OTP, call your bank to block the card and call 1930.
- Report the message on Chakshu.
Protect yourself
- Check challans only on the official Parivahan e-Challan site (echallan.parivahan.gov.in) or the official app.
- Pay electricity, water and gas bills only in the provider's official app or website, or a payment app you already use.
- Never install an app (.apk) sent by message, and get apps only from the Play Store or App Store.
Say it simply
Real challans and bills can always be checked on the official site. Never pay through a link in a message.
Electricity offices don't send WhatsApp messages from personal numbers threatening to cut power tonight.
Where to report
- Cybercrime helpline 1930Money has been taken or a payment was tricked out of you. Call at once: the sooner, the better the chance of freezing it.Call 1930
- Your bank, directlyBlock your card or UPI, and report the transaction. Use the number on your card or the bank's official app, never one from a message.Number on your card
- Chakshu, on Sanchar SaathiReport a suspected fraud call, SMS or WhatsApp message, even if you lost nothing.sancharsaathi.gov.in
- National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalFile a complaint about any cyber fraud, harassment, sextortion or morphed images.cybercrime.gov.in