If you are a regular user of the Wise app in India and received a message or an email like;
“Your Wise account has been suspended. Click here to verify your details.”
or
“Get ₹10,000 cashback when you transfer with Wise: limited time offer!”
Sounds convincing, right?
That’s exactly how scammers are fooling people using the trusted name of Wise (formerly TransferWise), one of the world’s most reputable money transfer platforms.
So, before you panic or click on anything, let’s clear the confusion once and for all.
What is Wise App?
Let’s start with the facts: the Wise app itself is not a scam.
It’s a globally regulated money transfer and multi-currency platform, founded in 2011 and trusted by over 16 million users.
In India, Wise Payments Limited is officially approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) as an Authorised Dealer Category II entity.
That means Wise can legally handle outward remittances (sending money from India abroad) under India’s financial regulations.
So yes, the Wise app you download from the official website or verified app stores is completely safe.
Wise Clone App
While Wise itself is genuine, scammers are creating fake versions and phishing campaigns that look almost identical to the real thing.
Here’s how these scams typically work:
- Clone Apps: Fraudsters publish duplicate “Wise” apps on the Play Store or circulate APK download links on Telegram or WhatsApp.
- Phishing Emails or SMS: You receive a message saying your Wise account has an issue or that you’ve received money, with a fake link.
- Fake Support Calls: Impersonators pretend to be Wise customer support and ask for your OTP, password, or banking details.
- Social Media Ads: Some ads claim “Get instant cashback for using Wise”, leading to fake websites that steal personal info.
One Reddit user shared how they lost ₹25,000 after downloading a “Wise” clone app that redirected them to a fake payment page.
The trick?
The logo, design, and even the support chat looked identical until it was too late.
How to Stay Safe from Fake Wise App?
Here’s what every user should do:
- Download only from the official app stores.
- Ignore links or messages claiming account suspension or prizes.
- Never share OTPs or passwords, even if someone claims to be from Wise support.
- Enable 2FA and update your password regularly.
- Verify URLs, the official site always uses wise.com, not .info, .in, or .net.
What to do if Online Fraud Happens?
If you’ve accidentally fallen for a fake Wise scam:
- Stop all transactions immediately.
- Report it to Wise:
- Through the app, report to Wise by clicking on the Help section and then Report a scam under the security section.
- Inform your bank to block or recall payments if possible.
- File a Cyber Crime Complaint
- Change all passwords linked to your Wise, email, or banking accounts.
Need Help?
If you have been scammed using the fake Wise app, then do not fret!
Register with us and get assistance in reporting such Wise app scams online.
Conclusion
To put it simply, the Wise app is 100% legitimate, RBI-approved, and globally trusted.
But like every successful fintech brand, it has become a target for impersonation and phishing scams.
So, the rule is simple:
Always use the official Wise app or website and never share your sensitive details with anyone claiming to “help.”
Wise is safe. Fake Wise isn’t.
Stay alert, stay informed, and you’ll stay scam-free.
