Could a person get a credit card in my name w/o my knowledge using my documents?

[Bugs Bunny]

But still you did video kyc on Google meet to get scammed.

This was very naive of him.

 

[Strange]

This was very naive of him.

What legal options does he have to protect himself from this fraud, in both the best-case and worst-case scenarios?

 

[dan873]

Yesterday, I clicked on a PNB Credit Card ad on Instagram and provided my contact details through the form that opened. The very next day, i.e., this morning, a person called me from a private number and told me that he was from PNB and that he was calling in connection with a recent PNB CC application of mine. He said that I would need to provide details of my Aadhar and PAN to complete my CC application. I believed him thinking that if he wasn’t from the bank there was no way he would know that I had recently applied. So I agreed to provide the details. Next, he said I would receive an SMS containing a link from the bank to do VKYC. I got the message but it was again from a private number. I didnt think much about it at the time because I wanted to complete it as soon as possible and get back to the work I was doing. So, I opened the link and we got on a Google Meet conference during which he asked me share my phone’s screen and take photos of myself, my aadhar and PAN card using my phone’s camera app. He also asked me to take a picture of one of my existing CCs to increase the chances of approval. I did that too.

It was only well after we had gotten off the google meet conference that it dawned on me that I might have been scammed. In all of the VKYCs that I have done so far, except for this one, I could see the bank rep’s faces. Moreover, I havent received any communication from PNB regarding my application even after many hours have passed.

So, what I'm thinking now is that the scammer could use my documents to apply for a PNB credit card, using his own phone number and have it delivered to his address. I wouldn't be aware of it, and so, wouldn’t act to block it. He would use the card until it reaches its limit and then discard it without paying the bill.

My question to you all is, if the guy was indeed a scammer, is there a real possibility of him getting a card issued to him using my documents? Why would PNB share a potential customer’s number with a person who isnt an employee? I had never applied for a PNB CC before and so I had never received a call from anyone before claiming to be a rep from PNB. If not from the bank where else would he get my number from?

Looks like a new Modus of operandi

Although they can easily apply for credit cards in your name but currently aadhar OTP is required for verification atleast for some banks

I believe they might have recorded the Google meet session but most banks currently usually use some random questions for verification ( I was asked about my favourite food and favourite sportsperson in my last kotak Vkyc)and failing this usually makes Vkyc to fail

 

[Bugs Bunny]

What legal options does he have to protect himself from this fraud, in both the best-case and worst-case scenarios?

As a precautionary measure the victim should file an FIR against that person before hand so that even if the card gets activated on his cibil he would have legit evidence to get it blocked and deleted from his cibil.

 

[akshayhs]

Are you a boomer? (Born after 1946 and before 1964) Genuinely asking.

 

[nangkong]

First things first lock your Aadhaar Card. It should prevent any kind of authentication if they try to do it. Next send a mail to PNB mentioning your PAN and other details, that you were scammed and ask them to not issue any card on that PAN. PNB asks for ITR and salary slips for the application hope you havent provided it to the scammer.

Go file a FIR, it will help you later when things go wrong. It is ok, everyone makes mistakes in hurry, be careful from next time.

thanks... will do everything you mentioned.

 

[nangkong]

Are you a boomer? (Born after 1946 and before 1964) Genuinely asking.

no sir i'm not a boomer... but may be a fool 🤣

 

[hks789]

He also asked me to take a picture of one of my existing CCs to increase the chances of approval. I did that too.

Block and reissue your existing cards.

 

[harshit_agrawal]

@nangkong do 1 thing, email to this mentioned id "creditcardho@pnb.co.in" and ask them to check whether any credit card application is received or not. They can check through your PAN no. and if they say yes, then ask them the contact details mentioned in the application. And if those are not yours then ask them to immediately cancel the application as you have not applied for it.

 

[nangkong]

Block and reissue your existing cards.

Ok... gave them the picture of my sbi card... just the front side with its number and other details but not the cvv. do I still need to get it re-issued?

 

[nangkong]

@nangkong do 1 thing, email to this mentioned id "creditcardho@pnb.co.in" and ask them to check whether any credit card application is received or not. They can check through your PAN no. and if they say yes, then ask them the contact details mentioned in the application. And if those are not yours then ask them to immediately cancel the application as you have not applied for it.

ok sir... will do that.. thanks.

 

[kushhh]

@nangkong do 1 thing, email to this mentioned id "creditcardho@pnb.co.in" and ask them to check whether any credit card application is received or not. They can check through your PAN no. and if they say yes, then ask them the contact details mentioned in the application. And if those are not yours then ask them to immediately cancel the application as you have not applied for it.

They will take a long time to reply . OP should go to the branch and talk about it

 

[harshit_agrawal]

Ok... gave them the picture of my sbi card... just the front side with its number and other details but not the cvv. do I still need to get it re-issued?

Yes, immediately call SBI and block the card for now. And if PNB replies that no application received or contact details are not yours, then replace the SBI card.

 

[harshit_agrawal]

They will take a long time to reply . OP should go to the branch and talk about it

No, this email id is fast in response (atleast till last March). Yes, visiting branch will be fast and best (but considering PNB, don't know how much knowledge branch person will have or how they will react to this).

My suggestion will be to block SBI card, wait for email reply from PNB and then take action.

 

[harshit_agrawal]

@nangkong 1 last thing to do from your end, temporarily block biometric through Aadhaar site or app.

 

[nangkong]

No, this email id is fast in response (atleast till last March). Yes, visiting branch will be fast and best (but considering PNB, don't know how much knowledge branch person will have or how they will react to this).

My suggestion will be to block SBI card, wait for email reply from PNB and then take action.

They will take a long time to reply . OP should go to the branch and talk about it

will do both... cant take chances.

 

[WandereR]

@nangkong Why don't you check your browser history? Although it's pretty obvious that the phone calls & vkyc steps were by scammers, but we need to know whether you filled on official pnb site or not (unlikely but still)

 

[nangkong]

@nangkong Why don't you check your browser history? Although it's pretty obvious that the phone calls & vkyc steps were by scammers, but we need to know whether you filled on official pnb site or not (unlikely but still)

I used the instagram for iphone's in-app browser and I don't know how to check its history. I checked the record of the ads I have interacted with on instagram and that particular ad is gone from there without a trace.

 

[FinoGuy]

Better to lodge complaint with cyber cell/police ASAP

 

[Pankhuri]

ok... but do you think any bank will give them loans just with my photo, aadhar, pan and cc photos?

Banks employ humans, humans who are friends with such scammers can ruber stamp on any loan for their cuts.