Stay alert if your bank account is frozen, warns Chittoor SP
In Short
In some cases, even people who have not committed a cybercrime may face restrictions if money connected to a crime has passed through their accounts.
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SP Tushar Dudi
Chittoor: Warning people against sharing their bank accounts with others or transferring money received from unknown sources, Chittoor District SP Tushar Dudi has called for greater caution to prevent cybercrime-related financial complications.
The SP said bank accounts may be subjected to debit freeze, lien, hold or other restrictions due to cybercrime investigations, legal orders, banking or regulatory reasons. He advised people not to panic if their accounts are frozen and instead find out the exact reason for the restriction and follow the proper legal procedure.
He said accounts may come under investigation if they are linked to suspicious or disputed transactions related to cybercrime.
In some cases, even people who have not committed a cybercrime may face restrictions if money connected to a crime has passed through their accounts.
If a bank account is frozen, the account holder should first contact the concerned bank and find out whether the restriction is a debit freeze, lien, hold or another type of action.
They should also obtain the complaint or reference number and, if available, details of the concerned police unit or investigating officer.
Account holders should keep bank statements, UPI, NEFT and IMPS transaction details, transaction IDs, payment receipts, invoices and relevant communication safely. These documents may be required to establish the nature and purpose of transactions, the SP said.
If the freeze is related to a cybercrime investigation, the account holder should contact the concerned investigating officer and explain the transactions with supporting documents.
The SP said people should cooperate fully with the investigation and provide details about the source and purpose of the money.
He also advised account holders to submit a written representation to the branch manager regarding the account freeze or lien. The application should include account details, the restriction imposed, reference number, transaction details and relevant documents.
The bank will register the complaint through its Grievance Redressal Mechanism.
The SP warned people not to believe anyone who claims that money can be paid to immediately unfreeze a bank account.
Individuals posing as police, bank or cybercrime officials should not be paid or given personal banking information.
People who lose money in online financial fraud should immediately call the 1930 cybercrime helpline and file a complaint through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
Early reporting can help authorities take timely action on suspicious transactions, the SP said.
