Over the past 6–8 months, multiple complaints related to fake FASTag recharge portals have surfaced across India.
The FASTag payment scam in India involves fraudsters creating fake websites that impersonate official FASTag recharge portals.
FASTag is an electronic toll collection system implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under theNational Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program. The fake FASTag websites appear genuine and are designed to trick vehicle owners into making online payments. The money is redirected to cybercriminals instead of recharging the FASTag account.
Over the past 6–8 months, multiple complaints related to fake FASTag recharge portals have surfaced across India.
How to Recharge FASTag, Official Methods
1. Online Recharge (Fastest)
- Bank Apps & Portals: Use your FASTag-issuing bank’s website or mobile app (e.g., SBI YONO, HDFC FASTag portal, ICICI iMobile, Axis Mobile) for direct recharge.
- MyFASTag App: Official app by NHAI/IHMCL to link or recharge FASTags from any bank.
- UPI Apps: Recharge via Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or Amazon Pay by selecting FASTag and entering your vehicle number.
- BBPS & Net Banking: Recharge through BBPS-enabled apps or transfer funds via your bank’s net banking/NEFT/RTGS.
2. Offline & Direct Methods
- POS Locations: Recharge at authorized toll plaza points, RTOs, and transport hubs.
- Bank Branches: Visit any authorized bank branch to recharge.
- Cash Payments: Available at authorized POS counters.
3. Auto-Recharge
- Standing Instructions / UPI Mandate: Set up automatic top-ups via your bank or UPI when your balance falls below a threshold.
4. Special Payment Options
- Rajmarg Yatra App: Official NHAI app for Annual Pass purchase/recharge.
- NHAI/MoRTH Website: Direct portal for annual passes.
📌 Important Notes:
>For support, call NPCI helpline: 1033.
>Maintain a minimum balance of ₹200 for smooth toll payments.
>Non-KYC users: max wallet ₹10,000; Full-KYC users: max ₹1,00,000.
>One Vehicle, One FASTag: Only one valid tag per vehicle.
FASTag Payment Scam Explained ! Cybercriminals Are Targeting FASTag Users With These Online Scams :
1. Fake Websites
They create websites that:
- Copy government logos
- Use similar domain names
- Mimic official layouts
- Display fake customer support numbers
2. Search Engine Manipulation
Scammers:
- Run paid advertisements
- Use keywords like “FASTag official recharge”
- Push their websites to appear at the top of search results
3. Payment Redirection
Once a user enters:
- Vehicle number
- Mobile number
- Card or UPI details
The amount gets deducted, but the FASTag is never recharged.
Why FASTag Payment Scam Are Becoming More Common
The rise of digital payments has made online recharge common.
- Users often click the first link in search results
- Many people do not verify URLs carefully
- Fraudsters are extensively using understand SEO and digital marketing to rank the fake sites on the google & run ads as well.
📌 The FASTag scam works because it blends technical ignorance with human urgency.
Official Guidelines to Avoid FASTag Payment Scam
The government’s official cyber complaint platform, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, has been receiving complaints related to online payment frauds. Banks and highway authorities have repeatedly advised users to:
- Recharge only through official bank apps
- Avoid unknown recharge links
- Verify website domains carefully
Users who face such fraud can report it immediately through the official cybercrime portal.
How to Identify a Fake FASTag Website
Before making any FASTag payment:
✔ Check the website domain spelling carefully
✔ Avoid clicking on sponsored ads without verification
✔ Use official bank apps instead of random Google links
✔ Do not trust unknown customer care numbers
✔ Confirm recharge through your bank’s official channel
📌 Even small spelling differences in URLs can indicate fraud.
Identify the FASTag Payment through the following ways :
- Unusual domain names
- Urgent pop-ups asking for quick payment
- Websites asking for OTP sharing
- No secure HTTPS connection
- Fake “government authorized” badges
📌 Remember :
- Do not rush
- Verify before paying
- Cross-check official sources
- Ask someone knowledgeable if unsure
- If anything feels unusual, stop immediately.
At Prime Infoserv, we believe cybersecurity is not only about providing protection services but also about educating users about emerging digital threats. Awareness remains the first layer of defence.
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