The festive season brings more than just shopping and celebrations. Online purchases, UPI transactions, food deliveries, travel bookings and digital payments also increase significantly during this period.

At the same time, scammers become more active. Fake cashback offers, discount coupons, refund messages, delivery alerts and fraudulent customer-care calls can be used to trick people into revealing sensitive information or transferring money.

A little caution can prevent a potentially expensive mistake. Here are five simple precautions to follow during the festive season.

1. Don't Click on Every Cashback or Discount Link

Messages promising "exclusive cashback", "limited-time rewards" or "festival discounts" can create a sense of urgency and encourage you to click without checking.

Before opening a link received through WhatsApp, SMS, email or social media, carefully examine the website address. Look for unusual domains, spelling mistakes, shortened links or unexpected attachments.

Even fake shopping websites can be designed to look almost identical to genuine platforms.

The safest approach is to open the shopping app or website yourself instead of clicking a promotional link received in a message.

2. Be Careful With UPI Refunds and Cashback

UPI has made payments incredibly convenient, but scammers can misuse people's unfamiliarity with certain payment features.

A fraudster may claim that you have received a cashback or refund and ask you to scan a QR code, approve a collect request or enter your UPI PIN.

Remember: you do not need to enter your UPI PIN to receive money.

Before approving any UPI transaction, carefully check the recipient's name and the amount. If someone asks you to approve a payment in order to receive a refund, cashback or reward, stop and verify the request independently.

3. Watch Out for Fake Delivery and Customer-Care Messages

Festive shopping means more online orders, which also gives scammers an opportunity to send convincing fake delivery messages.

You might receive a message claiming that your parcel is stuck, your address needs verification or your payment has failed. The message may contain a link that takes you to a fraudulent website designed to steal your information.

Scammers may also pretend to be customer-care representatives and ask for an OTP, card details or access to your phone.

Instead of using a customer-care number provided in an unexpected message, find the company's contact details through its official website or app.

4. Never Share Banking Details Over the Phone

A scammer may call pretending to be a bank employee, delivery executive, government official or customer-care representative.

They may already know basic details about you, making the conversation sound genuine. The caller might then create panic by claiming that your account will be blocked, a payment has failed or a reward is about to expire.

Don't allow urgency or fear to make the decision for you.

Never share your OTP, UPI PIN, ATM PIN, CVV, password or banking credentials over a phone call. Genuine organisations generally don't need these confidential credentials from you over an unsolicited call.

If you are unsure, disconnect the call and contact the organisation using an independently verified number.

5. Secure Your Smartphone Before Shopping

Your smartphone is now effectively a digital wallet, shopping centre and banking terminal all in one. Keeping it secure is therefore essential.

Before the festive shopping rush begins:

• Keep your operating system updated.

• Install app updates regularly.

• Download apps only from trusted official app stores.

• Use a strong screen lock.

• Review app permissions periodically.

• Remove apps you no longer use.

• Avoid installing applications sent through unknown links or messages.

• Don't give unnecessary apps access to sensitive information.

One Simple Rule Can Save You From a Scam

Most digital scams rely on one thing: making the victim act before they have time to think.

Whether the message promises cashback, threatens account suspension or claims that a refund is waiting, take a moment to verify it before clicking, paying or sharing information.

During the festive season, enjoy the discounts and convenience of digital payments — but remember that the best deal is one that doesn't put your money or personal information at risk.