Hyderabad residents are set to receive crucial training in combating digital fraud as The Times of India prepares to host a special Digital Safety Townhall this weekend. The event forms part of the newspaper's impactful #DontGetScammed initiative, designed to empower citizens with essential knowledge for navigating online spaces securely.
Event Details and Expert Participation
The exclusive session will take place on Sunday, November 30, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Golf View Apartments community clubhouse in Nanakramguda. This residential gathering will feature expert insights from KVM Prasad, DSP of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, who will break down the most common digital scams reported across Hyderabad.
Attendees will gain comprehensive understanding of various cyber threats, including KYC-update scams that trick users into sharing sensitive information, UPI payment frauds that drain bank accounts, sophisticated phishing attempts, and impersonation calls from individuals pretending to be bank officials or government representatives.
Open Forum and Community Engagement
The Townhall will include an open question-and-answer session, allowing participants to seek clarification on real-life situations they've encountered. This interactive component ensures residents receive personalized guidance for their specific digital safety concerns.
Shikha Goel, Director of TGCSB, emphasized the initiative's importance, stating: "Not sharing personal details or money through online channels, for instance, is key. Equally important is to be able to identify unsolicited links and avoid clicking on them. The initiative, Don't Get Scammed, is timely, and the bureau is happy to partner with TOI for it."
Community Support and Future Initiatives
The Golf View Owners Association has enthusiastically supported this cyber awareness drive. A Narasimhan, mentor of the association, expressed: "We at Golf View Owners Association feel it is our duty to create awareness about cyber frauds among our residents. We are thankful to TOI and TGCSB for collaborating with us on this initiative."
For those unable to attend the event but seeking answers to digital safety questions, TOI has established a dedicated WhatsApp number 9071112970. Residents can share their name, locality, and query, with selected questions potentially being addressed during the session and featured in The Times of India publications.
The newspaper has also announced a series of digital-safety themed contests and confirmed that more such townhalls will be conducted across Hyderabad in the coming weeks, expanding the reach of this crucial cyber safety education campaign.
