The RBI also listed several modus operandi employed by the fraudsters. | Photo: Reuters
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday warned against fraudulent activities in its name and asked the public not to share account login details, OTPs or KYC documents with unidentified persons.
The RBI has come to its notice that unscrupulous elements are using various methods to defraud the public by using the name of the RBI in some capacity, the central bank said in a statement.
The RBI also listed several modus operandi employed by the fraudsters.
Scammers use fake RBI letterheads and email addresses, posing as central bank employees and luring people with fictitious offers like lottery prizes, fund transfers, foreign remittances and government schemes.
Targeted victims are forced to part with money in the form of fees for currency processing, transfers, remittances or procedures.
Another tactic that has come to our attention is that of small and medium-sized businesses being targeted by fraudsters posing as government or Reserve Bank of India officials and coercing them into paying a “security deposit” under the guise of a government contract or scheme, with the promise of attractive payouts.
Scammers also use scare tactics where they contact victims via IVR calls, SMS and emails.
They impersonate RBI officials and threaten to freeze/block/deactivate the bank accounts of the recipients and convince/coerce them to share certain personal details or install some unauthorised/unverified application using a link provided in the communication.
The RBI further said it has come across some websites and applications of entities such as unauthorised digital lending apps and other purported financial service providers.
The RBI reiterated that it does not maintain any accounts in the name of individuals, companies or trusts in India to hold funds for disbursement.
Nor does it open accounts for individuals or ask them to deposit money into such accounts.
Further, RBI does not send any emails implying grant of lottery funds or any SMS, letter or email to communicate fictitious offers of lottery winnings or funds received from abroad.
“Beware of calls, emails and any other communication from cyber criminals impersonating officials of government agencies or the RBI and asking for money transfers on the pretext of a tempting offer or alarming issue,” the RBI said.
“Do not share” account login details, personal information, copies of KYC documents, card information, PIN, password and OTP with unidentified persons or agencies, it said.
The public should also not disclose such data through unverified or unauthorized websites or applications.
In case of receiving such requests, you are requested to contact your bank/branch, the RBI said.
The central bank advised the public to report suspicious communications to law enforcement authorities.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First published: August 29, 2024 | 19:58 IS
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