A lady approached me and requested to use my phone to make an urgent call. Assuming she genuinely needed help, I handed her my phone.
She dialled 18003134644, made a very brief call, and immediately disconnected it. She then quickly opened my messaging app and selected a message containing a photo. The message read:
“Thanks for contacting HUL. Use coupon ZAEFNQCGR to avail discount. By sharing, you confirm you are 18+ & agree to HUL comms. Visit www.unilevernotices.com.”
As far as I could understand, she was about to walk away without explaining what she had done. I stopped her and angrily asked what this message was and why it had appeared on my phone. She replied that it was related to a Rs. 5 discount on a packet of washing powder and if u want to take it please take it.
I then moved on, but the incident left me feeling suspicious and concerned. I started wondering whether she had attempted to hack my phone, commit some kind of financial fraud, misuse my mobile number, or subscribe me to unwanted promotional communications without my consent. Now I have two main concerns-
- What exactly did she do by calling that number and opening the message? Is there any genuine risk to my phone, bank account, UPI, or personal information?
- Should I avoid lending my phone to strangers in the future, even if they claim to need it for an urgent call? How can I help someone in an emergency without putting my privacy or financial security at risk?
