Indian oil firms and Odisha police warn of OTP scams targeting LPG deliveries and census services

Public sector oil companies Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) have alerted LPG customers across India to a new cyber fraud that uses fake SMS and WhatsApp messages to obtain the four‑digit Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) and OTP required for cylinder delivery. Scammers pose as gas agency staff, claim the need to update KYC or link Aadhaar, and request the code through calls, messages or links. Victims are urged to share OTPs only with official delivery personnel and to report fraud immediately via the 1930 helpline.

Separately, Odisha police have issued a warning about fraudsters impersonating census officials to steal Aadhaar numbers, mobile numbers, bank details and OTPs. The criminals visit homes in fake uniforms with counterfeit identity cards, claiming verification is part of the 2026 census and asking for OTPs or bank information. Police stress that genuine officials never request such data or OTPs and advise citizens not to click any “Census App” links or install unknown APKs. In both cases, authorities recommend using official apps and websites for transactions and contacting 1930 promptly if defrauded.