Fake Admission Calls and Website Safety Guide

Fake admission calls usually create pressure: pay now, block seat now, send documents now. Slow down first. Verify the official college, counselling or regulator source before sharing money, OTP or documents.

Common warning signs

A suspicious admission call usually tries to create fear or urgency. The caller may say that a seat will be lost, a refund will fail, or a special quota can be arranged only if payment is made quickly.

Do not decide during the call. Genuine admission processes should be verifiable through official websites, brochures, counselling documents or college communication channels.

• Urgent payment demand.
• Seat blocking promise.
• Refund claim through private link.
• WhatsApp-only admission process.
• Request for OTP or login password.
• Pressure to send documents immediately.

Verify the institution first

If the call names a university or higher education institution, verify through official sources. The UGC university details page can help verify HEI or university listing where relevant.

But do not assume every college or course is verified only through UGC. Depending on the course, also check the relevant official regulator, counselling authority, university affiliation page or official college website.

• Check official university or college website.
• Check relevant regulator where applicable.
• Check counselling authority website if admission is through counselling.
• Read the official brochure before payment.
• Match phone numbers and email IDs with official sources.

Do not share sensitive details

Admission fraud often starts with small information and then moves to payment or account access. Do not share OTP, password, candidate login, Aadhaar, payment screenshots or marksheet copies with unknown callers.

Even if the caller knows your name, course interest or exam name, that does not prove they are official. Treat every unsolicited call carefully.

• Do not share OTP.
• Do not share candidate login password.
• Do not send payment screenshots.
• Do not upload documents on unknown forms.
• Do not scan QR codes sent by strangers.

Check suspicious numbers and websites

The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal is an official government portal for cybercrime reporting. It also has suspect repository and report suspect features that can help citizens check or report suspect identifiers.

If a website or phone number looks suspicious, do not interact further. Take screenshots, note the number or link, and use official cyber safety routes where relevant.

• Save suspicious phone number.
• Save website URL.
• Take screenshots of payment demand.
• Do not click repeated links.
• Report through official cybercrime route if needed.

Before making any admission payment

Payment should happen only through official college, university, counselling or authorised admission routes. If someone gives a personal account, random QR code or urgent UPI ID, pause immediately.

Parents should ask for written official proof and verify it independently. Do not rely on forwarded screenshots of notices or fake-looking receipts.

• Check official fee notice.
• Check official payment gateway.
• Match account or payment page with official source.
• Keep receipt after payment.
• Avoid personal-account transfers.

If you already shared money or documents

If money, OTP, login details or documents have already been shared, act quickly. Contact your bank or payment provider if payment fraud is involved and report through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal where applicable.

Also change passwords for candidate login and email if you shared access details. Inform parents or a trusted teacher instead of hiding the issue out of fear.

• Inform parents or a trusted adult.
• Contact bank if payment fraud happened.
• Report cybercrime through official portal where applicable.
• Change passwords if login details were shared.
• Keep screenshots and transaction details.

FAQs

How do I know if an admission call is fake?

Be careful if the caller demands urgent payment, asks for OTP or documents on WhatsApp, promises seat blocking or avoids official college and counselling websites.

Where can I report cybercrime related to admission fraud?

Use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://cybercrime.gov.in/ for cybercrime reporting where applicable.

Can I use UGC to verify a university?

The UGC university details page can help verify HEI or university listing where relevant. Also check the relevant regulator, counselling body or official college website.

Should I pay a seat-blocking amount through WhatsApp?

Do not pay through WhatsApp or personal links. Verify the official admission process, fee notice and payment route before making any payment.

Official Links

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal – Cybercrime reporting and suspect repository or report suspect features.
• UGC University Details – Verifying HEI or university listing where relevant.