Srinagar, Jan 1: As the country ushers in the New Year with celebrations and renewed hopes, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and cyber security agencies have urged people to remain alert online, cautioning that incidents of digital fraud tend to spike during festive and holiday periods.
In a New Year message posted on X, J&K Police called upon citizens to adopt a simple but effective digital safety mantra: “Be Cyber Alert — STOP. THINK. Then TAKE ACTION” before clicking on links, responding to messages or making online payments.
“Festive occasions and holidays witness a sharp rise in online activity, including shopping, digital payments and social media use. Cyber criminals take advantage of this rush and the lowered guard of users,” a senior cyber police official said. “A few seconds of caution can prevent financial loss and emotional distress.”
Cyber police officials said fraudsters commonly circulate fake New Year greetings embedded with malicious links, phishing emails promising prizes or refunds, fraudulent payment requests, and impersonation calls posing as banks, courier services or government officials.
“People often receive messages claiming they have won a New Year gift or need to urgently update bank details. These are classic traps,” the official said. “Citizens should never share OTPs, PINs or personal details, no matter how convincing the caller or message appears.”
Advising basic cyber hygiene, officials urged people to verify the authenticity of links and payment requests, avoid downloading unknown attachments, use strong and unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication on banking and social media accounts. Regular updates of mobile phones and applications were also recommended to guard against cyber vulnerabilities.
Emphasising the importance of swift reporting, police said victims of cyber fraud should immediately lodge complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or approach the nearest cyber police station.
“Timely reporting helps us block transactions and recover money in many cases. Delay often works in favour of criminals,” a cyber crime official said.
Authorities also appealed to parents and elders to guide children and senior citizens, who are often targeted due to lack of awareness. “Cyber safety is a shared responsibility. Families must talk openly about online risks,” the official added.
As 2026 begins, police and cyber agencies reiterated their commitment to strengthening digital safety awareness through outreach programmes, workshops and online campaigns.