SBI users beware! Text message asking you to update PAN card details is fake, do not fall for it

Cybercrime incidents are increasing significantly with every passing day. Scammers are finding new ways to trick innocent users and steal their hard-earned money. One of the most common ways to scam people is through text or WhatsApp messages. Now, in a new scam reported by the government of India, scammers are tricking people in the name of the State Bank of India (SBI).

The PIB fact-check team recently spotted that scammers are sending text messages to SBI account holders. In the message, scammers are asking users to update their PAN card details in order to update and reactivate their SBI Yono account. PIB issues an urgent warning for SBI users.

Several SBI bank account holders have reportedly received a text message stating that their YONO account has been deactivated and they must update their PAN to reactivate the account. The message included a link as well, clicking which will provide hackers access to the user’s personal details. "Dear Customer, your SBI YONO Account is Closed Today Contact now And Update your PAN NUMBER in the following link," the message read. In fact, the text message also included the sender’s name. So, if you have also received a similar message in the name of SBI, don’t believe it. It is outright fake.

In the latest tweet, PIB Fact Check warned SBI customers about this fake message and asked them to stay alert. “A #Fake message issued in the name of SBI is asking customers to update their PAN number to avoid their account from getting blocked. Never respond to emails/SMS asking to share your personal or banking details,” the tweet noted. “SBI never asks for personal details through messages,” the government’s official fact-checker added. Users should also never click on unverified links shared with such messages.

How to report fake SBI messages

If you have received any message related to your SBI account and believe it to be fake then you should report the message. To report the message, you can simply write an email to report.phishing@sbi.co.in, or call on the helpline number - 1930.