UPI users beware! Calls from these numbers can drain your account balance in a flash. Learn how to stay safe.

Phone scams are on the rise in today's digital age. Sometimes calls come from unknown numbers, and people answer them without thinking. But now it's important to be cautious, as such calls can completely drain your bank or UPI account. Scammers have become so clever that they use the identity of someone you know or a local area code to make it appear as if the call is coming from your neighborhood. People fall prey to this trick and become victims of fraud. Therefore, think twice before receiving a call from an unknown number.

According to a PCMag report, be cautious whenever you see labels like "No Caller ID," "Scam Likely," "Telemarketing," or "Unknown Caller" on your phone. These labels often warn that the call is suspicious. Calls tagged "Telemarketing" are usually promotional or sales pitches, but sometimes scammers are hiding behind them. Ignoring these calls can protect both your money and personal information.

"No Caller ID" means the caller has deliberately concealed their identity. While this could be for personal reasons, scammers often do so to avoid being identified. "Unknown Caller" means the number isn't registered in the phone system, meaning it could be a new, unverified, or suspicious number.

The safest approach in such cases is to let unknown calls go directly to voicemail. If the call is genuine, the caller will leave a message. You can listen to the message and decide for yourself whether to return the call. Don't leave a personal greeting on your voicemail to prevent scammers from knowing the number is active.

Also, go to your phone's settings and turn on the Silence Unknown Callers or Block Unknown Numbers feature. This will automatically send unknown calls to voicemail, keeping you safe. If a call seems like it's asking for important information, instead of immediately calling back, search for the number online. If it's linked to a scam, block it immediately.

Remember, scammers are smarter than ever. So, next time you get a call from an unknown number, don't answer without thinking, as one mistake could wipe out your entire UPI balance.