Initial Deposit: Fraudsters transfer a small sum, typically Rs 5,000, to the victim’s bank account.

SMS Alert: This triggers an SMS notification, prompting the victim to check their account balance.

App Access: When the victim opens their banking app to investigate, they unknowingly approve a withdrawal request by entering their PIN.

Unauthorized Withdrawal: The scammer uses this opportunity to siphon off a much larger amount.

To protect against this scam, the Tamil Nadu Police have recommended the following precautions:

Pause and Verify: Avoid immediately checking your balance after receiving unexpected deposits. Wait 15-30 minutes to let any fraudulent withdrawal requests expire.

Use Incorrect PINs: If prompted, enter an incorrect PIN to cancel unauthorized transactions.

Report Suspicious Deposits: Notify your bank immediately about any unsolicited deposits to confirm their authenticity.

Safeguard Personal Details: Never share sensitive information like PINs or OTPs, even if requested by someone claiming to be a bank representative.

Victims of the "Jumped Deposit" scam are encouraged to act quickly. Complaints can be registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or at the nearest cybercrime police station. Swift reporting enables authorities to investigate and mitigate further damage.