New Year 2026 Scam Alert: Malicious Greetings Can Empty Your Bank Account

• Fraudsters use 'Happy New Year' messages on SMS, WhatsApp, social media to spread malicious links, targeting unsuspecting users.
• Clicking these links leads to fake websites, app installs, or requests for personal details, including OTPs, enabling account takeovers.
• Scammers can silently enable call/message forwarding to intercept OTPs, compromising banking apps, digital wallets, and social media.
• Compromised accounts are then used to forward similar scam messages, spreading the fraud through trusted networks.
• Look for unfamiliar links, urgent language, reward promises, requests for personal info, and spelling errors as scam indicators.

Why It Matters: Beware of New Year 2026 scam messages; clicking malicious links can lead to financial fraud.