Tag: security

Social

HDFC Bank Conducts Over 4,000 Cyber Fraud Awareness Workshops Across India

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, has strengthened its commitment to digital safety by conducting over 4,000 cyber fraud awareness workshops across the country as part of its ongoing digital banking awareness drive. Since April 2025, these workshops have reached more than 27,000 citizens, equipping them with essential knowledge to safeguard themselves against the growing threat of cyber fraud.

The initiative targets a wide and diverse audience, including school and college students, senior citizens, self-help groups, bank customers, and employees. Through interactive sessions, participants were educated on safe digital banking practices designed to help them recognise and avoid fraudulent activities. The workshops featured real-life examples, stories, and videos that illustrated common tactics used by fraudsters, making the sessions both relatable and impactful. Many of these workshops were conducted in collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies, further reinforcing their credibility and reach.

Participants were introduced to various fraudster tactics, including how criminals manipulate victims using fear, urgency, greed, or appeals for help. The sessions highlighted prevalent cyber threats such as digital arrest scams, investment frauds, APK frauds, phishing, smishing, vishing, SIM swap scams, remote access frauds, and UPI-related frauds. Practical secure banking tips were also shared, emphasising simple yet effective habits that can significantly reduce risk. The workshops featured ‘Vigil Aunty’ as a relatable awareness ambassador to reinforce these messages.

Attendees were strongly advised never to share sensitive personal or banking information, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and refrain from downloading APK files or attachments received through emails, SMS, or WhatsApp, particularly those impersonating banks, government authorities, or trusted institutions.

Commenting on the initiative, Manish Agrawal, Senior Executive Vice President – Credit Intelligence and Control at HDFC Bank, said that fraudsters are increasingly combining social engineering tactics with technology to exploit customers. He emphasised the importance of awareness in preventing individuals from sharing confidential banking details or engaging with unverified links, urging citizens to always “Pause, Think, and Verify” before taking any action.

HDFC Bank continues to encourage customers to adopt safe digital banking habits and remain vigilant while transacting online. In the event of online fraud, customers are advised to immediately report unauthorised transactions to the bank, block the affected payment mode, and contact the Ministry of Home Affairs’ 1930 cybercrime helpline or file a complaint on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal to prevent further losses.

Business

TATA AIG’s SME Business Insurance Offers Comprehensive Risk Cover for Goa’s Enterprises

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

Fire incidents reported across the country, including in Goa, have once again highlighted how quickly emergencies can escalate and how unprepared many small enterprises remain when it comes to risk protection. Beyond the immediate human and material losses, such incidents expose a deeper challenge—the ability of businesses to recover and continue operations in the absence of adequate insurance coverage.

Goa’s economy is driven by a diverse mix of industries ranging from hospitality and pharmaceuticals to shipbuilding, light engineering, food processing and several ancillary and local enterprises spread across industrial and commercial clusters. Despite this industrial diversity, a significant number of small and medium enterprises continue to remain underinsured or only partially insured, leaving them vulnerable to fire, natural calamities, machinery breakdowns and business interruptions.

TATA AIG’s SME Business Insurance is designed to address this protection gap by offering comprehensive coverage tailored to the needs of small enterprises. The solution includes protection against fire and allied perils, machinery breakdown and loss of income due to insured interruptions. In addition, coverage can also be extended to employees’ hospitalization expenses arising from such incidents, ensuring care for the workforce while safeguarding business interests.

Whether it is damage caused by an electrical short circuit in a manufacturing unit or losses incurred due to water damage during firefighting operations, such insurance solutions help businesses recover financially while maintaining operational continuity. Equally important is the need for enterprises to periodically reassess their sum insured to ensure that claim payouts reflect the true scale of potential losses.

Commenting on the importance of preparedness, Pranay Shah, Head – SME Products at TATA AIG General Insurance, stated that small businesses form the backbone of the economy yet remain among the most vulnerable during disasters. He emphasized that TATA AIG is committed to delivering reliable insurance solutions that protect assets, ensure continuity and safeguard livelihoods, empowering businesses to face uncertainties with confidence.

For Goa’s business community, recent incidents serve as a timely reminder that comprehensive insurance is not merely a regulatory requirement but a critical pillar of risk preparedness and long-term sustainability. In densely populated industrial and commercial zones, having the right insurance coverage can often make the difference between recovery and closure, reinforcing the need for enterprises to take proactive steps toward comprehensive risk protection.

Events in Goa

Feast Mass at the historic Raj Bhavan Chapel in Goa on August 15, 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

The serene and historic Raj Bhavan Chapel in Goa will host its annual Feast Mass on August 15, 2025, coinciding with India’s Independence Day. The Eucharistic celebration is set to begin at 10:00 AM, with the gates opening for devotees at 9:00 AM.

This significant religious event sees the gathering of devotees from across Goa and beyond, coming together in prayer and reverence in one of the most prestigious and spiritual locations in the state.

Security Protocols and Entry Requirements:
 To ensure a smooth and secure experience for all attendees, the following guidelines are in place:

  • Entry will be allowed only upon presenting a valid photo ID at the main gate.
  • No handbags or large personal belongings will be allowed inside the Raj Bhavan premises.
  • All attendees are requested to park their vehicles at the Raj Bhavan helipad and walk to the chapel.
  • No hawkers or stalls will be permitted within the campus, though they may set up outside the main gate.
  • For security reasons, all devotees are kindly requested to vacate the premises by 1:00 PM.

This event is not just a religious gathering but also a moment of reflection and community spirit, held in one of the most beautiful and secure locations in Goa.

Let us come together in prayer, with humility and discipline, to celebrate this blessed occasion.