Hyderabad: As the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls gains momentum in Telangana, cyber criminals have found a new way to target unsuspecting voters. Fraudsters are reportedly making fake phone calls, claiming to be Booth Level Officers (BLOs) or officials from the Election Commission, and asking people to share One-Time Passwords (OTPs) in the name of voter verification or Aadhaar mapping.
Authorities have clarified that these calls are completely fake. Voters are advised to remain alert and never share OTPs, bank details, Aadhaar OTPs, passwords or other confidential information over the phone with anyone claiming to be a BLO or election official.
How the Scam Works
According to reports, fraudsters contact voters and claim that their voter ID needs to be updated, mapped, or verified under the ongoing SIR process. They then tell victims that an OTP has been sent to their mobile number and ask them to share it immediately to complete the verification.
In reality, the OTP may be linked to banking services, digital payment apps, email accounts, or other online services. Once the OTP is shared, cyber criminals may gain unauthorized access to sensitive accounts.
Election Officials Never Ask for OTPs
Election officials have repeatedly advised that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) do not ask voters to disclose OTPs over phone calls. During the SIR enumeration process, BLOs may visit voters’ homes or verify information through official procedures, but they will never request OTPs, banking credentials, UPI PINs, debit card details or passwords.
If any person receives such a call, it should be treated as a cyber fraud attempt.
Safety Tips for Voters
- Never share OTPs received on your mobile phone with anyone.
- Do not disclose bank account details, debit or credit card information, UPI PINs or passwords.
- Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a BLO or election official.
- Use only official Election Commission platforms for voter-related services.
- Inform your family members, especially senior citizens, about this scam.
- Report suspicious calls to the nearest police station or the national cybercrime helpline.
Use Only Official Channels
Voters are encouraged to complete any SIR-related verification only through official Election Commission channels or during visits by genuine Booth Level Officers. If there is any doubt, citizens should contact their local election office before acting on requests received over phone calls or messages.
With cyber frauds becoming increasingly sophisticated, officials urge voters to remain cautious. A simple precaution such as not sharing an OTP can prevent financial loss and identity theft.
Remember: No genuine BLO or Election Commission official will ever ask you to share an OTP over a phone call for SIR verification or voter ID mapping.
