A Central Government body, The Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India, has suggested for the customers of the State Bank of India (SBI) to immediately delete a perfect replica of the SBI message as it is a fake one sent by frauds, asking personal and sensitive info to access their accounts.
Fraudsters Targeting SBI Users
Fraudsters or these fake SMS senders are frequently forwarding these messages to target SBI users. By creating a replica of SBI SMS they want you to think that the message is officially sent by the Bank. The message containing a link will claim that your account has been blocked and will urge you to enter your official net banking credentials to unblock it on the next page opened through that link.
You will be surprised to know that these fraudsters are so well trained that they have created a perfectly replicated site of SBI to hunt you. By opening the link on that message, you will be redirected to a fake website of SBI created by them to become a victim of phishing. A person who is not so familiar with modern banking technology can easily become a victim.
PIB Alerts With A Tweet
As per the tweet of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), “A message in circulation claiming that your @TheOfficialSBI account has been blocked is #FAKE. In response to counter such fraudulent activity, PIB has said via a recent Tweet that Do not respond to emails/SMS asking to share your personal or banking details. If you receive any such message, report immediately at [email protected]”.
Customers should always remember that SBI will send such messages containing a link asking you to update your KYC or unblock your account. So please be careful and think before clicking on such embedded links in the messages.
My suggestion is that if you are having any concerns related to these messages, just visit your home branch of SBI and they will help you.
SBI Alerted Its Customers
SBI alerted its customers with a tweet that said, “Such SMS can lead to a fraud, and you can lose your savings,” in an attempt to combat ongoing bank frauds via SMS. Embedded links should not be clicked. When you receive an SMS, look for the correct SBI shortcode. Stay vigilant and #SafeWithSBI.”
The website of SBI also asserts that “SBI never sends email for getting customer information. Please report immediately if you receive an email purporting to be originated by SBI to gather your Username or Password or any other personal information. This may be a phishing email.”
Further, Bank guides its customers with a message on its site saying, “State Bank or any of its representatives will never send you an email/SMS or call you on the phone asking for your personal information, password, or one-time SMS (high security) password.” Any such e-mail, SMS, or phone call is an effort to use your Internet Banking account to withdraw money fraudulently. Never reply to such an email, text message, or phone call. Please submit your report right away. If you receive such an email, SMS, or phone call, please contact [email protected]. If you have mistakenly divulged your credentials, change your passwords right away,”
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RBI’s Advice
RBI advises Bank Consumers, “If someone has fraudulently withdrawn money from your bank account, notify your bank immediately.” The Central Bank also suggests that you should never expose your personal or financial information to others & never save your credentials on a website.
As per RBI immediately call 14440 or contact your bank if you suspect any deceitful transaction.
