“Hello, this is the Reserve Bank of India. Your credit card has been involved in fraudulent activities…”
An automated voice message has been circulating, warning individuals that suspicious activity has been detected on their credit cards. The message states that your bank accounts will be blocked soon and tells you to speak with the operator for details urgently. From there, things can go downhill, and fast.
In this article, we unpack the fake RBI alert scam, how it plays on fear and confusion and what you can do to stay vigilant.
Modus Operandi
Automated Call: You receive a call from a robotic voice claiming it’s from the RBI. It states (in Hindi and English) that your credit has been involved in illegal activity.
Inducing Panic: The message warns you that bank accounts will be frozen or blocked within a few hours.
Dial X to Speak to Operator: You are then instructed to press a number on your phone (usually 9) to speak to an operator for further details.
Fake Official: Once you press the number, you are connected to a scammer posing as an official or an agent from the RBI. They are well-versed in banking jargon and, in some cases, might also quote your Aadhaar card number or partial credit card details to sound legit.
Extracting Details: Scammers will likely ask for sensitive information like OTPs, CVV, credit card numbers, and net banking credentials. Or request that you download malicious files that give them remote access to your device. Following this, they can transfer money or make unauthorised payments.
Red Flags
RBI contacting individuals regarding transaction verification or threatening to block or freeze bank accounts.
Asking you to urgently speak to the operator or else lose access to your account.
Asking for your banking details, including card numbers, OTPs, and net banking passwords.
Sending suspicious links via text messages or WhatsApp for you to download.
What To Do
Hang up: If you receive such a call, immediately hang up and do not press any number as instructed by the automated message.
Decline: Do not share IDs, bank account(s) or card details.
Contact: Notify your bank to monitor for suspicious transactions and activate SMS alerts to notify you of any unauthorised activity in your account.
Change Passwords: If you have shared your login information for anything related to your finances with the scammer, change your passwords immediately.
Report: If you were scammed or were able to spot this scam, then report the incident as soon as possible through a government portal such as Chakshu (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/) and the national cybercrime helpline number—1930. You can also lodge a complaint with the local police station.
The Quint's Scamguard initiative aims to keep up with emerging digital scams to help you stay informed and vigilant. If you've been scammed or successfully thwarted one, then tell us your story. Contact us via WhatsApp at +919999008335 or email us at myreport@thequint.com. You can also fill out the Google form and help us take your story forward.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)