A video uploaded by a self-proclaimed journalist, Mudasir Aziz, on his Facebook page ‘Kashmir Youth Power’ has created a stir in the valley. In the video, Aziz cautions viewers against clicking on a link that he had attached as a screenshot on video, claiming it to be a new scam that could result in the loss of all their money. The message read, “Dear Customer, Please update your mPAY Delight Application to avail J&K Bank Instant Digital Loan. Same can also be availed by clicking http://www.jkbank.com/stp -J&K Bank.”
However, the link Aziz provided is the official website of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank. Clicking on the link redirects users to https://instantloans.jkbank.com/lendperfect/landing, which is part (Sub Domain) of Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s official website. Aziz’s claims have raised questions about the credibility of so-called journalists who have mushroomed on social media platforms in Kashmir, without any formal journalism training or education.
It is important to understand the difference between a domain and a subdomain, as well as URLs, to debunk Aziz’s claim. A domain is a unique name that identifies a website, such as jkbank.com. A subdomain is a subdivision of a domain, such as instantloans.jkbank.com. URLs, or uniform resource locators, are the addresses that we type in our browsers to access websites or its contents, such as jkbank.com/stp.
While Aziz’s warning about it is baseless, it is worrying that individuals who lack knowledge and training are misleading people with their claims. In fact, one user commented on Aziz’s video, showing both messages from the same sender – the ‘Loan Message’ and an Eid Mubarak message sent about a month ago on behalf of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank. Aziz’s mistake highlights the need for proper journalism training, especially in the era of Facebook journalism.
If you have clicked on the same link as mentioned in the message, you don’t need to worry as it is the official website of Jammu and Kashmir Bank.
On 03 May 2023, The Jammu and Kashmir Bank had also tweeted on its official Twitter account announcing an Instant Personal Consumption Loan for employees under MoU. The bank had advised its customers to apply instantly through the updated version of the mPay Delight application or by clicking on jkbank.com/stp.
The mushroom growth of so-called journalists on social media platforms in Kashmir is a cause for concern. It is important for people to be aware of the credibility of sources before trusting and sharing information. Formal training and education in journalism are necessary to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, and impartiality in reporting.
It’s important to always be cautious of fraud websites and scams. Criminals often create fake websites that look like the real thing, in order to trick people into giving them personal information, like credit card numbers or login details. It’s essential to verify the URLs, domains and subdomains of the websites and double-check the sender of any messages before clicking on any links or providing any sensitive information. In the case of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, their official website is http://www.jkbank.com, and any subdomains or links provided by the bank should be checked for authenticity.
At Koshur Dude, we take the issue of online scams, frauds and safety seriously. We always advise our readers and viewers to exercise caution when clicking on any links, especially those that claim to offer quick and easy loans. We recommend that you verify the authenticity of the website and the sender before clicking on any links or providing any personal information. Stay safe online!
