PhonePe is not giving Free Cashback; Viral Claim is False

A video post is being shared on social media claiming that all PhonePe users are getting free cashback of up to Rs. 4390. The post asks users to click on a link and scratch a coupon to receive the reward. 

Many people are sharing this without knowing if it is real. Fact Crescendo checked the claim and found that it is completely false.

WHAT’S THE CLAIM?

In the viral post, the image looks like a promotional graphic designed to appear as if it is from PhonePe. It uses the same purple theme that people usually associate with the PhonePe brand. 

At the top, there is a circular icon that looks similar to the real PhonePe logo, placed inside a purple circle, along with a thick purple border that tries to copy the original branding.

The text in the centre says “आपको मिला है फोनपे की तरफ़ से फ्री कैशबैक – Rs. 4390”. At the bottom, there is a “Get Offer” button also in purple.

The Voice in the video attached says, “Congratulations! All PhonePe users will get free cashback upto Rs. 4390. Don’t be late, claim it now. Offer valid only for today!”

Facebook Post | Video Post

FACT-CHECK

At first glance, the colours, typeface and layout look like they are inspired by genuine PhonePe designs. But the quality of the design, alignment and wording do not match PhonePe’s actual professional graphics. The language and formatting do not look like something PhonePe would use in its real promotional posts.

If PhonePe had actually launched such a big reward program, it would have been mentioned on their official channels, but there is nothing.

When we checked PhonePe’s official website and verified their accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn, we did not find any announcement or post about any such cashback offer. 

The viral post also includes a link to a website (https://pardhaanoffers.info), which supposedly allows users to claim the reward. But when we checked, this link did not lead to any valid PhonePe page. 

PhonePe has already clarified several times in the past that “fraudsters’ are luring users with the promise of winning rewards, through Cashback offers and Scratch cards.”

The company said that scammers often misuse the brand name and logo to make their message look real. Their main goal is to fool people into clicking the link and giving away sensitive information.

“Some may send you fake links with offers or you may even see Cashback-related posts on fake social media pages. These links and social media pages are cleverly designed to resemble PhonePe’s official Website and logo to trick you into believing that the offer is genuine,” the company said on their blog. 

It further cautioned that some scamsters may also call you and ask you to complete a few steps to receive the Cashback on the PhonePe app by accepting a payment link which appears on your notifications/bell icon.

How Does This Scam Work?

When you open such a website, it tells you to scratch a card to receive money in your account.

After you scratch it, the site asks you to open either PhonePe or Paytm. The moment you open the app, it takes you to a payment page.

On this page, it says that you should click the green button to receive money in your bank account.

But the green button is actually the “Pay” button, which is used to send money. When you click it, the app asks you for your PIN.

In reality, the website is tricking you into sending your own money.

This is how online scams work. They tempt people with fake offers and then make them transfer money without realising it.

How does PhonePe Cashback work?

PhonePe credits cashback directly to your wallet. You do not have to click any link, fill any form or take any extra step to claim it. PhonePe never gives cashback or rewards through random websites, links or phone calls. Any message or call that promises cashback through an external link is misleading.

You are never asked to enter your UPI PIN to receive cashback. The UPI PIN is only needed when you send money from your account. If any message or caller asks you to enter your UPI PIN to get a reward, stop immediately and report it on support.phonepe.com.

CONCLUSION

The viral claim about free cashback of Rs. 4390 is false. The website shared in the post is not related to PhonePe and the offer is a scam. Do not click such links or share them with others. Staying careful will protect both your data and your money.