A FASTag video has gone viral on the internet. A boy is seen stealing money by scanning the FASTag using his smart watch while wiping the windshield of a car. This viral video has thunderstruck netizens and many social media users started believing in this video. This video went viral only after IAS officer Awanish Sharan reposted the video saying, “ Is it True?”

The National Payments Council has issued a clarification regarding this viral video. They said that it is not possible for any individual to scan the FasTag and steal money from an owner’s account. 

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The tweet containing the video was deleted later by the bureaucrat after different organizations claimed that it is a fake video. 

The viral video was all about a boy cleaning the windshield wearing a smartwatch. Those who were sitting inside the car talked to him and asked about his smart watch. The boy ran away immediately after hearing this question. The person who had filmed the video said that it is a scam where children who beg at traffic signals are given high end smartwatches. As they clean the windshield they scan the tag and steal money. The video maker asked everyone to be more cautious regarding this matter. 

A FASTag is a prepaid rechargeable tag service that allows the drivers to make automatic payment for trolls. It uses Radio Frequency Identification technology to detect the scanner which deducts an amount from the user’s bank account. 

As this video has gone viral, several fact checkers and cyber security experts have claimed it is not possible to steal money the way it has been shown in the video. Paytm has also issued a statement saying that the video is spreading misinformation about FASTag. FASTag payment can only be initiated by authorized merchants. The National Council for payments also clarified that FASTag is operated for person to merchant transactions. Only authorized system integrators are allowed to participate and initiate payment transactions.