SBI alerts about online KYC fraud: Tells customers how to keep bank account safe

If you have recently received an SMS from a private mobile number stating:
Dear customer your SBI Bank account has been suspended for KYC please complete your KYC 10 min immediately click here link, then beware! This is yet another KYC scam.

In order to spread awareness among customers about KYC frauds that have been doing the rounds, the country’s largest bank,

(SBI) put out a tweet on Monday via its official Twitter handle.

“KYC fraud is real, and it has proliferated across the country. The fraudster sends a text message pretending to be a bank/company representative to get your personal details,” said the tweet.

Online frauds have been on the up in the country since the start of the novel coronavirus pandemic due to a greater quantum of digital payments via mobile wallets, UPI etc. and amplified internet/mobile banking usage.

SBI has asked customers to report such crimes at cybercrime.gov.in in the tweet.

Further, the bank has shared three safety tips for customers to avoid getting scammed. These are as follows:

1. Think before you click any link

2. Bank never sends links to update KYC

3. Don’t share your mobile and confidential data with anyone.

The bank has also been sending emails to its customers on their registered email IDs to stir awareness about the different types of potential frauds. If a customer receives a phishing email, then he/she can report such matters to the bank at report.phishing@sbi.co.in.

This is not the first time that the bank has tweeted these safety steps. It has been regularly communicating to its customers to never share OTP, CVV, ATM PIN with anyone including bank officials. SBI has further advised its customers not to download any mobile apps based on the advice of or tips from unknown people. It is possible for messages including OTP/PIN/CVV to be read or tapped into even remotely.