Paytm Warns Smartphone Users

Paytm the mobile payments firm is warning new users to be careful while getting KYC check done. Paytm announced, "Do not download any app like AnyDesk or QuickSupport for getting your KYC done. Fraudsters may steal money from your accounts through such apps." This warning ranges to all cases where a user needs to contact the customer care for any tech support.

Keep in mind that remote desktop applications such as these are not malware or fraud applications. Applications such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer QuickSupport are quite useful if used for the right purposes. Like any remote device control application, AnyDesk or TeamViewer are tools for IT professionals to work on remote devices without being on-site. Very few non-IT people seem to know about AnyDesk or TeamViewer QuickSupport.

How do fraudsters use AnyDesk or TeamViewer QuickSupport to scam people?

When you contact customer service for any help or someone contacts you pretending to be a customer service executive. The fraudster to scam people will force or convince you to download AnyDesk or QuickSupport on your mobile phone.

After you download any of the apps, the fraudster needs the code from the remote access table and, therefore, will request it. Once you deliver the 9-digit or 10-digit code to the fraudster, he gets to see your mobile screen on his PC and can even record it. Through these apps, whatever you do, the screen of your mobile is automatically registered on the PC of the fraudster.

At the time you make any online transaction from UPI, Paytm, mobile banking, the credentials are stolen. As the fraudster can see what you are doing on the mobile, the moment you write the ID/password of the banking application or UPI, the fraudster records it.

It is strictly advised not to download any remote desktop apps without understanding how they work. Never download new apps that any customer care/support executive may ask you to do so. Authentic customer care executives will never ask anyone to download apps.