Plain-language help for ordinary people. General information, not legal advice. Helplines, portals and screen names were checked against official Government and regulator pages on 1 November 2026. Portals change: if a screen looks different, follow the words on the screen and the official guide linked in each step.
Good evidence is the difference between a complaint that moves and one that is closed. Start saving the moment something feels wrong.
Calls
- Screenshot of the call log showing the full number, date and time. Do not crop the time out.
- The call recording, if your phone saved one.
- A note written straight after the call: who they said they were, what they knew about you, what they asked for, and what you said.
- For international calls showing an Indian +91 number, Sanchar Saathi has a separate report (also through 1963 or 1800110420).
SMS and WhatsApp
- Screenshot showing the sender (number or header, for example AB-XYZBNK-S) and the full text.
- Note the header suffix: -P promotional, -S service, -T transactional, -G government.
- Do not delete the message; it may be needed later.
- For WhatsApp, screenshot the chat and the profile, and report it inside WhatsApp too.
Money
- Bank SMS alerts for each debit.
- Statement page with the entries marked.
- UTR or transaction ID for each payment (12 digits for UPI).
- Card number (last 4 digits are enough in letters).
- 1930 acknowledgement number and cybercrime.gov.in complaint ID.
Your complaint trail
- Every ticket, docket, token or complaint number, with the date you got it.
- Copies of every letter and email you sent, and every reply.
- A simple timeline: date, what happened, who you contacted, reference number.
- Names of staff you spoke to, if they gave them.
Online content
- The link (URL) to the post, profile or page.
- Screenshots that show the date and time.
- Your report number from the platform.
How to keep it safe
- Make a folder for the case on your phone and in email.
- Back it up to a second place.
- Do not edit or crop images except to hide your own card number or OTP.
- Keep originals; send copies.
- Never share OTPs or passwords as 'evidence' with anyone, including someone claiming to help.