India’s digital spending is hitting new records every month, including UPI or Credit card, and scammers are trying just as hard to take advantage of it.
With more people shopping online, paying through apps, and relying on quick digital transactions, the risks are growing alongside the convenience. Data says that in the first half of 2025, digital transactions counted for 99.8% of total transaction volume. Projections suggest the value of digital payments in India will reach $10 trillion by 2026, up from $3 trillion recently.
Industry data shows that India spent ₹2.17 trillion through credit cards in September 2025, one of the highest monthly totals ever. Spending rose 14% from August and 23% compared to last year, while online shopping alone made up 66.4% of all card spending. That means two out of every three credit card rupees are now spent digitally.
As International Fraud Awareness Week (Nov 16–22, 2025) begins, SBI Card, which serves more than 21.5 million customers, has issued a fresh warning urging Indians to stay alert while transacting online.
Why the Warning Matters
Scams today don’t look like scams. They look like:
- A discount link
- A refund message
- A call from “customer care”
- A new app promising cashback
SBI Card says the safest thing users can do is slow down, verify, and avoid clicking anything suspicious.
The Most Common Online Traps Right Now
1. Fake Shopping Websites
Festive-season clones and lookalike sites are everywhere. They offer huge discounts but disappear after collecting payments or card details.
2. Screen-Sharing Requests
Scammers pretend to help with refunds or blocked transactions and ask users to share their screen. This gives them access to banking apps and OTPs.
3. Fraud Apps & APK Downloads
Many scam apps appear helpful — “cashback calculator”, “refund helper”, “offer unlocker”.
Once installed, they quietly steal personal data from the phone.
4. Fake Refund Messages
“Your refund is pending, click here” has become one of the biggest traps. Clicking the link often leads to payment fraud.
Quick Snapshot: India’s Digital Spending (Sep 2025)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total credit card spends | ₹2.17 trillion |
| MoM Growth | 14% ↑ |
| YoY Growth | 23% ↑ |
| Total Transactions | ~495.7 million |
| E-commerce Share | 66.4% |
| Total Cards in India | ~113.4 million |
| SBI Card Users | ~21.5 million |
India saw 24 lakh fraud complaints in just the last ten months in 2025, which shows one thing clearly — scammers are not slowing down. They are finding more options to create fraud. The trending names are –
- They call you a relative friend or your old friend.
- Most famous, they call and say, Hi, I mistakenly deposited 50k in your bank account, please refund me.
- They say I am from SBI Cards, you are eligible for Free EMI Convert or Annual fee waiver, please visit – I suggested website URL.
- The website is phishing for your card details, such as CVV, card number, and OTP.
- It is the most confusing scam; most people believe they are real, but the SBI card never asks for OTP and card CVV and number with you.
That’s why Easemoney is taking part in International Fraud Awareness Week 2025 to help people spot tricks before they happen. As we move toward 2026, staying careful online is becoming as important as making the payment itself. A few seconds of checking can save a lot of money — and peace of mind.
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