The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a public advisory warning citizens about fraudulent messages circulating in the name of unclaimed bank deposits. The central bank has cautioned people against falling prey to cyber criminals who are exploiting the unclaimed deposits issue to deceive innocent customers.
According to the advisory, the RBI has clarified the official procedure for tracing and claiming unclaimed deposits that have been lying in bank accounts inactive for over 10 years. The central bank emphasized that eligible customers can claim such deposits only through the official RBI portal.
The legitimate portal for claiming unclaimed deposits is udgam.rbi.org.in, and no other website or link should be trusted for this purpose.
Rising Cyber Fraud Incidents
In view of the increasing number of cyber fraud incidents, the RBI has strongly cautioned the public to remain alert and follow specific safety guidelines. Fraudsters are reportedly circulating fake messages by posing as RBI officials or bank representatives to trick people into sharing sensitive information.
The central bank has made it clear that it never sends unsolicited links or messages seeking personal information, bank account details, passwords, or OTPs (One-Time Passwords) from customers.
Safety Guidelines Issued by RBI
The Reserve Bank of India has issued several important guidelines for public safety:
- Do not click on any suspicious links received from unverified sources claiming to be from RBI or banks
- Never share personal information, passwords, bank details, or OTPs with unknown persons or unverified social media accounts
- If you receive any doubtful message or link, visit your nearest bank branch immediately to verify its authenticity
- For genuine information, use only the official RBI website at rbi.org.in
What to Do If You Become a Victim
The advisory states that if someone becomes a victim of cyber fraud, immediate reporting may help in freezing or recovering part or all of the lost amount. Quick action is crucial in such cases.
Citizens who fall victim to cyber fraud can contact the Cyber Crime Toll-Free Helpline at 1930. Alternatively, they can file an online complaint through the official portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
Official Channels for Verification
The RBI has stressed that customers should only rely on official channels for any banking-related information. The central bank never contacts customers through unofficial means or requests sensitive banking credentials through phone calls, text messages, or emails.
Bank customers are advised to verify any communication claiming to be from RBI or their bank by directly contacting their bank branch or visiting the official RBI website. This simple step can prevent many fraud attempts.
The advisory comes at a time when cyber criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, using official-looking messages and websites to deceive people. The Reserve Bank of India continues to emphasize the importance of cyber awareness and urges all citizens to stay alert and be cyber smart when dealing with financial matters online.
