Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has issued a public advisory cautioning its members, students and the general public against fraudulent phone calls, WhatsApp communications, SMSs and emails being circulated by imposters falsely claiming to represent the Institute.
Official copy of the Advisory is as follows
Advisory in respect of Unauthorized Calls, E-Mails, WhatsApp Communications and Fraudulent Messages
Kind Attention: All Members, Students of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Public at Large
All the Members and Students of ICAI and public at large are hereby informed that certain unscrupulous persons/entities are falsely representing themselves as Office Bearers, Officials, employees, authorised representatives, Departments, Committees, Regional Councils or Branches of ICAI through unsolicited phone calls, WhatsApp calls/messages, SMSs, emails and other communication platforms.
Such imposters are making false representations to the stakeholders relating to examinations, membership matters, training, empanelment, seminars, webinars, recruitment opportunities, disciplinary matters, payments and other activities of the Institute.
It has further been observed that such persons/entities are:
- Seeking personal information, sensitive documents, banking details, OTPs and other confidential credentials under the guise of official procedures of ICAI.
- Demanding payments/fees through unofficial channels by creating a false sense of urgency or face consequences.
- Circulating misleading or unauthorised announcements, study/reference material and communications through WhatsApp groups, emails, social media platforms and private messaging channels.
- Sharing suspicious links, QR codes or files purporting to be associated with ICAI.
These communications are being made with mala-fide intention to mislead and create confusion in the minds of the Members and Students of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, in particular and public at large in general. Such communications are false and creating an impression that these calls/messages have been originated or authenticated and circulated with the approval of the ICAI.
ICAI hereby categorically clarifies that:
- The Institute does not seek sensitive personal information such as passwords, OTPs, CVV numbers, internet banking credentials, etc. through phone calls, WhatsApp calls/messages, SMSs or emails.
- Official communications are issued only through authorised communication channels/platforms of ICAI.
- All official payments and transactions relating to ICAI services are to be made only through authorised ICAI portals/websites and approved payment mechanisms.
Accordingly, Members, Students and public at large are hereby advised to exercise utmost caution and are requested:
- Not to share personal, financial or confidential & sensitive information with unknown callers, emails or messaging accounts falsely claiming association with ICAI.
- Not to click on suspicious links, scan unknown QR codes or download unverified files/applications received through such communications.
- Not to rely upon circulated or forwarded messages/documents unless verified from official circulars and notifications published through official platforms of ICAI.
- To immediately report suspicious calls/messages/communications to the ICAI along with relevant screenshots, phone numbers and details for necessary scrutiny and action.
It may further be noted that impersonation, circulation of false information, misuse of ICAI’s name/logo and unauthorised communications in the name of ICAI are prohibited under law and attracts punitive actions. Therefore, ICAI hereby warns such persons/imposters/entities to immediately cease and desist from such illegal activities, failing which ICAI reserves the right to initiate appropriate legal and/or criminal proceedings against such imposters/entities.
Accordingly, all Members and Students of the Institute and public at large are advised to remain vigilant and rely only upon official communications issued through authorised channels of ICAI.
Secretary, ICAI
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