Why you should think twice before paying traffic penalty through e-challan link

Delhi-NCR residents have been recently plagued by a new cyber threat in which users are getting messages of traffic challan payment requests. As per a TOI report, cybercriminals are sending out deceptive text messages that closely mimic e-challan notifications from the traffic police, luring unsuspecting victims into their trap.

These misleading messages contain malicious links that, once clicked, expose your mobile device to potential hacking threats. Moreover, the links redirect you to counterfeit e-challan websites, cunningly designed to extract your confidential banking and personal information. As one police officer told TOI, "Clicking on the link leaves your phone vulnerable to hackers... It also directs you to a fake e-challan website that asks you to put in your banking and personal information."

Cyber fraudsters are constantly devising new tactics to deceive the public. Cyber experts advise utmost caution while making online payments. It is advised that online users should avoid clicking on links that raise suspicion, and steer clear of using easily guessable passwords. Never, under any circumstance, share your OTP (One-Time Password) with anyone.

Delhi Police officials have also issued a stern warning to citizens, urging them to exercise extreme caution when encountering suspicious links. An officer from the cyber cell told TOI, "The safety of your bank account can be compromised with a single click. Clicking on these links can also give hackers access to sensitive data on your device."

To safeguard the public from falling victim to these scams, the police have released a set of guidelines. "If anyone receives a text message or email claiming to be from the traffic police and contains a hyperlink, they should first verify if it is a genuine link. To verify the legitimacy of an e-challan, individuals are advised to directly access the official government portal at https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in/ or reach out to the Regional Transport Office for clarification and resolution," advised a senior police official.

Furthermore, the police underscored that they never request personal financial information over the phone or via text messages.

Another essential tip provided by law enforcement agencies is to scrutinize the domain name of the link. A bona fide e-challan typically includes the ".gov.in" domain, which contrasts sharply with the fraudulent messages circulating as https://echallan.parivahan.in/ or similarly named links. To ensure the authenticity of a payment link, it is crucial to verify that it concludes with ".gov.in."