Fake rental listings are the highest-cost risk. Listings appear on MagicBricks and 99acres with below-market prices — often 20-30% under realistic rates — and require an advance "token" transfer to "hold the unit" before you view it. The unit does not exist or is not available. Rule: never transfer any amount before physically viewing the apartment and confirming the owner's identity with original documents.
OTP phishing is common in the first 30-60 days when new arrivals are setting up bank accounts and getting SIM cards. A caller claims to be from your bank, a property manager, or Aadhaar support and asks for the OTP sent to your phone. No legitimate bank, government service, or property manager ever needs your OTP — the OTP is specifically a credential that should never be shared. Hang up and call the institution directly on their published number.
At traffic stops, police can issue Challans (fines) for genuine violations — but the fine is always paid online via the official Challan portal or the PayChallan app, never as cash to the officer directly. If an officer asks for cash at the roadside, this is not a legitimate process. You can politely ask for the official Challan to be issued instead.
At airports and railway stations, overcharging is common from drivers offering verbal price quotes outside the app. Use Uber or Ola exclusively from the airport. Pre-book before you exit the terminal. If Uber surge pricing is high, Ola is usually cheaper for the same route. Never accept a quoted price from a driver who approaches you in the arrivals hall.