Scam Alert: Nowadays, fake banking apps look so real that anyone can get deceived at first glance. The glowing icon in the Play Store, the name similar to the bank, and thousands of five-star reviews all seem to indicate that this is the right app. But as soon as you install it, it silently clears your passwords, OTP and account details. Such traps are laid at every step in the digital world, and identifying them has now become your most important ‘banking skill’.
Fake banking apps look exactly like real bank apps but as soon as you install them, they steal your banking details. Therefore, before downloading any banking app, check some things.
First look at the name of the publisher
Genuine bank apps on Google Play Store or Apple App Store come with the real name of the bank like HDFC Bank Ltd, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank Ltd. Fake apps make slight changes in the name, add words like Pro, Secure, Mobile Banking, Services or write the name of the bank wrongly.
Download and check reviews
Genuine bank apps have millions of downloads and thousands of reviews. Downloads of fake apps are less and reviews are mostly copy-paste, short and similar.
Don’t download apps from links or QR
The bank never asks to download the app through SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram or email link nor sends APK. The original app is available only on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Must read app permissions
Genuine banking apps only ask for necessary permissions like SMS (for OTP), camera (for KYC) or location (for ATM/Branch Finder). Fake apps ask you to grant unnecessary permissions like contacts, call logs, screen recording or notification access.
If any fake app is accidentally installed, uninstall it immediately, scan the phone, change the internet banking/UPI password and inform the bank immediately.
