Navratri Event QR Tickets and Payment Scams: Five Checks Before You Pay Online
Crowded Navratri events create opportunities for fake QR tickets, duplicate payment links and refund scams. Follow five checks before paying for garba or puja entry online.
Festival tickets, food bookings and garba passes are often shared through social media. That convenience also makes it easier for a fake account to copy an event poster, replace the payment link or promise a refund in exchange for an OTP.
Check the organiser first
Open the event's official profile or website by typing the address yourself. Compare the venue, date, contact number and refund policy. A poster forwarded in a group is not proof that the seller is connected to the event. If the account was created recently or keeps changing its payment handle, pause before paying.
Treat QR codes and refunds carefully
A QR code for receiving money is different from a QR code for making a payment. Never share a UPI PIN or one-time password with someone claiming to confirm a ticket. A legitimate refund does not require you to reveal your PIN. Keep the transaction record and verify the booking inside the official app or email.
At the venue and station
Save the ticket offline and carry an identity document only if the organiser requires it. Do not crowd the entry gate while searching for a screenshot. If a ticket is rejected, use the official help desk rather than a stranger offering an instant replacement.
Practical takeaway
Confirm the seller, pay through the official channel, protect your PIN and keep a backup plan for travel. Festival urgency should never be used as a reason to skip basic payment checks.
