IRCTC Diwali Alert: Diwali is around the corner, the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) has issued an important alert for passengers who is about to travel during the festive season. The warning says some people are using fake or personal user IDs to book train tickets, which is completely illegal.

IRCTC has advised travelers to stay alert and avoid dealing with such fake agents. IRCTC has also advised that the passengers should always book tickets through the official IRCTC website or authorized agents to ensure safe and genuine bookings.

IRCTC Ticket: How To Know Ticket Is Genuine Or Fake

Booking train tickets through IRCTC is simple, but ticket scams are quite common. To check if your ticket is real, always verify the PNR status on the official IRCTC website or app. Genuine tickets show confirmed details immediately. Look for the IRCTC logo, watermark, and booking ID. Fake tickets often have unclear printing or incorrect information. Avoid booking through unknown agents. You can also check details through 139 SMS or the RailYatri app and report suspicious tickets to the IRCTC helpline.

How To Identify Train Ticket Booked Via An Authorized Agent

IRCTC has also shared some simple ways to help passengers identify whether their ticket has been booked through an authorized agent. If the ticket is booked by an authorized agent, the first page will clearly display the agent’s name, address, and unique agency code. This information is easy to spot on the ticket. However, if the top of the ticket mentions “Normal User,” it means the booking was made using a personal user ID and not through an authorized IRCTC agent. (Also Read: Google Map’s Desi Alternative Mappls Impresses IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw; Check How To Use, 3D Views, Data Privacy, And More)

IRCTC Booking Time Rules

Authorized agents have specific time limits set by IRCTC for booking train tickets. They are not permitted to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes after the booking window opens or Advance Reservation (ARP) tickets during the first 10 minutes. These restrictions are in place to ensure fair access for all passengers. If someone offers you a ticket booked within these restricted periods and claims to be an authorized IRCTC agent, it’s a clear warning sign. Always verify the booking source to avoid fake or illegal transactions and ensure a safe travel experience.

How To Book Train Tickets Safely

Use Official Sources: Always book tickets through the official IRCTC website or mobile app to avoid fraud.

Check Agent Authorization: If booking through an agent, make sure they are authorized by IRCTC.

Verify Ticket Details: Look for the IRCTC logo, watermark, and correct booking ID on your ticket.

Avoid Unofficial Platforms: Do not share personal or payment details on unknown websites or social media links.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a fake booking, contact the IRCTC helpline or report it via the official website. 

Lloyds Banking Group is setting aside an additional £800m for car finance compensation claims, bringing the total amount allocated by the bank for redress to nearly £2bn.

The company said that the number of eligible claims is expected to be higher than previously thought.

Millions of drivers who bought cars on finance with hidden commission payments between 2007 and 2024 may be eligible for redress.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published details of its proposed compensation scheme last week.

The FCA said payouts could be due on around 14 million unfair deals, averaging at about £700 each.

This could result in lenders paying out a total of £8.2bn in compensation.

The payouts are over commission arrangements between lenders and dealers, unfair contracts, and inaccurate information given to car buyers.

Lloyds said in a statement: “Based on the FCA proposals in their current form, the potential impact is at the adverse end of the range of previous expected outcomes.”

It said it was setting aside an additional £800m for redress based on “the increased likelihood of a higher number of historical cases… being eligible for redress”.

It said its “best estimate” of the total cost of redress was £1.95bn.

The proposed scheme would be free to access for consumers, although the interest they receive on redress will be much lower than that paid following the payment protection insurance (PPI) scandal.

That scandal cost Lloyds £22bn.

The FCA estimates that 44% of all motor finance agreements made since 2007 will be eligible for payouts.

But a ruling at the Supreme Court in August limited the breadth of these cases.

The FCA advises anyone who wants to make a complaint to get in touch with their lender or broker, and has this guidance on how to complain.

But the Finance and Leasing Association, the body that represents the lending industry, has said the FCA is “overcompensating”.

Lloyds said on Monday that it did not think the FCA’s calculations reflect the actual amount that customers lost out.

It believes customers could therefore get more than the full commission back under the FCA’s proposed scheme.

Under the scheme, eligible car owners would be given the average of what it estimates they overpaid – the commission paid, plus interest.

Another lender, Close Brothers, which is deeply exposed to motor finance compensation, said it was also likely to need to set aside more money for payouts.

In a statement on Thursday, it said its “initial assessment” following the FCA’s proposals was that it would need to increase its current provision of £165m.

However, the company pointed out that uncertainty remained over the final compensation requirements, with the current proposals under consultation.

Consumer campaigners have urged lenders not to fight the FCA’s compensation plans, in order to ensure drivers do not have to wait even longer for redress and to bring a swifter conclusion to the saga.

But Russ Mould, investment director for AJ Bell, said Lloyds “gives the impression it is not happy with the proposed compensation methodology, implying this is not a done and dusted situation”.

Average mortgage rates have risen for the first time month-on-month since February as lenders approach the winter with caution.

Following a series of drops in mortgage interest rates, the picture worsened slightly for new and renewing borrowers over the last month, according to financial information service Moneyfacts.

The average rate for a two, or five, year fixed rate stands at about 5%, much lower than the peak of recent years, but still a stretch for many homeowners.

Analysts suggest imminent, further base rate cuts by the Bank of England appear unlikely, and uncertainty always foreshadows a Budget.

Moneyfacts data shows that mortgage rates only climbed very slightly over the month, by 0.02 percentage points.

That took the rate on an average two-year deal to 4.98%, and to 5.02% for the average five-year mortgage.

More than eight in 10 mortgage customers have fixed-rate deals. The interest rate on this kind of mortgage does not change until the deal expires, usually after two or five years, and a new one is chosen to replace it.

Hundreds of thousands of potential first-time buyers also hope to get a place of their own with their first mortgage. All would welcome low mortgage rates.

Rachel Springall, from Moneyfacts, said that the latest situation might well “disappoint” borrowers.

“Volatile swap rates and a cautionary approach among lenders have led to an abrupt halt in consecutive monthly average rate falls,” she said.

Swap rates reflect the market’s view of which direction the Bank of England’s interest rates will go, so lenders use them to set their own rates.

“Lenders have responded cautiously, with some edging rates higher and the overall average ticking up slightly,” said Simon Gammon, managing partner at mortgage advisers Knight Frank Finance.

“This is unlikely to mark the start of a sustained rise in borrowing costs, but rather a prolonged plateau while the outlook becomes clearer.”

The rates during this October are much lower than this month two years ago, when the average rate for a two-year deal was 6.67%.

Some homeowners would have become accustomed to much lower rates during the 2010s, so will now be budgeting for bigger monthly repayments, alongside other financial pressures such as the rising cost of food.

The government has said it will support people with the cost of living. The Budget will be delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in November.

Ms Springall, from Moneyfacts, said that borrowers should consider their own circumstances and seek guidance when required.

“It remains essential borrowers seek independent advice to navigate the mortgage maze and not feel pressured to secure a deal because of the Budget rumour mill,” she said.

On Monday, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, an independent economic think-tank, said that the chancellor should avoid “directionless tinkering and half-baked fixes” when trying to boost the government’s tax take in the Budget.