Digital payments and online banking have transformed daily life — but so has cybercrime. If you have been defrauded online, the first 24 hours are critical. This guide walks you through filing a cyber complaint, contacting your bank, preserving digital evidence, and using the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to initiate legal action swiftly and effectively.
Step 1: Contact Your Bank Immediately
As soon as you discover fraud, call your bank’s 24-hour helpline and request that the transaction be frozen or reversed. Under RBI guidelines, if you report the fraud within 3 days, your liability may be zero.
Step 2: File a Complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal
Visit cybercrime.gov.in and file a complaint online. This portal is managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and is the fastest way to initiate action against cyber fraudsters.
Step 3: Preserve All Digital Evidence
Take screenshots of all transaction records, SMS alerts, emails, and chat conversations. Do not delete any messages — these are critical digital evidence under the IT Act, 2000.
Step 4: File an FIR Under the IT Act
Visit your nearest police station and file an FIR under Section 66C (identity theft) or 66D (cheating by impersonation using computer resources) of the IT Act, 2000, as applicable.
Consult a Cyber Law Advocate
If the police are unresponsive or the amount is significant, consult a cyber law advocate who can guide you through escalation to the Cyber Cell or the District Magistrate.