Unable to Book Indian Railways Train Tickets for Friends and Family? Here’s What IRCTC Has to Say
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has addressed and refuted false claims being circulated on social media. The viral posts wrongly stated that booking train tickets for friends or relatives with different surnames could result in jail time or fines. ₹10,000. IRCTC has confirmed that these claims are false.
in onedeclare on X, IRCTC clarified that the information circulating on social media about e-ticket booking restrictions due to surname differences is false and misleading. IRCTC assures users that they can book tickets for friends, family and relatives using their personal user ID.
Clarifying false statements
According to misinformation circulating on social media, it is believed that IRCTC restricts ticket bookings to blood relatives or individuals with the same surname. It was also falsely reported that violators could be fined $$10,000 or prison sentence of up to three years.
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IRCTC’s official announcement clarified the situation:
1. Users can book tickets using their personal user ID for friends, family and relatives.
2. Maximum 12 tickets can be booked per month, which can be increased to 24 tickets for Aadhaar authenticated users if one of the passengers on the ticket is also Aadhaar authenticated.
3. Tickets booked through individual user IDs are not intended for commercial sale. Selling such tickets for commercial purposes is an offense against Section 143 of the Railways Act, 1989.
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Precautions against online fraud
To protect yourself from online fraud, IRCTC recommends the following measures:
1. Use a trusted app: Install trusted apps like CERT-In’s “Fraud Alert”, NCSAP’s “mSafe”, and Google’s “Anti-Phishing App” to receive real-time alerts and protection against phishing attacks.
2. Limitation of personal information: Be cautious when sharing personal information online. Avoid revealing sensitive data such as phone numbers, email addresses, and bank account information to unfamiliar sources.
3. Questions about unsolicited requests: Be careful with emails and messages asking for personal data, as scammers often use such tactics to steal sensitive information.
4. Keep software updated: Update software regularly to benefit from security patches that help protect against malware and other threats.
5. Claim Verification: Ignore offers of free gifts from unknown individuals and avoid paying online without properly verifying the source.
By following these guidelines, users can ensure a safer and more secure experience when booking train tickets and navigating online platforms.