Hack of the day: How to file a complaint against e-commerce/financial scams

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Shopping online or using digital financial services has made life easier. Having said that, not every experience goes smoothly. Sometimes products don’t arrive, refunds get delayed, sellers go silent, or worse — one may fall victim to fraud. While almost every online commerce platform offers consumer help for such cases, the issue may remain unresolved sometimes. For such cases, the government’s National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and other official grievance portals are designed to step in and help resolve disputes between consumers and companies. Whether it's an undelivered item, a misleading listing, a faulty product, or a financial service issue, these platforms act as a bridge to get your complaint formally registered and taken seriously. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to escalate your issue the right way.

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Step-by-step guide to filing a complaint against e-commerce/financial fraud

1. Call 1915 or visit the NCH portal

2. Register your grievance


Create an account (if using the portal) and submit your complaint. Be clear and concise about what went wrong.

3. Provide company and issue details


Enter the name of the seller or service provider, order ID, transaction details, and a description of the problem.

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4. Upload proof


Add screenshots, invoices, payment receipts, chats, or email conversations — anything that supports your claim.


5. NCH forwards it for resolution


Once submitted, NCH sends your complaint to the respective company and asks them to respond within a set timeframe.

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Things to keep in mind

• Maintain all communication records, bills, payment proofs, and screenshots.
• Not all complaints get resolved instantly — NCH acts as a mediator, not an enforcement agency.
• You can also escalate serious fraud cases to the cybercrime portal if needed.
• Scan the QR (if provided) for more such consumer-protection hacks.

Disclaimer: Hacks are based on verified public sources. Readers are advised to follow the official websites and updated rules.