Crime
RBI warns bank customers of new electricity‑bill SMS scam
Banks are issuing alerts after a surge in fake SMS messages claiming unpaid electricity bills and urging users to click malicious links.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a fresh warning to bank customers about a new wave of cyber fraud that uses counterfeit SMS messages claiming that an electricity bill remains unpaid and prompting recipients to click a link.
According to the warning, the fraudulent messages mimic official communications and contain a link that leads to phishing sites or installs malware on the victim’s device. The scam exploits the urgency of utility payments to trick users into revealing personal and financial information.
In response, banks across the country have begun sending awareness messages to their customers, urging them to verify any such SMS with the official electricity board and to avoid clicking unknown links. The RBI advises the public to treat unsolicited payment requests with caution and to report suspicious messages to their bank.
The central bank also recommends that customers regularly update their mobile security settings, use reputable antivirus apps, and refrain from sharing OTPs or banking credentials via SMS or phone calls.
According to the warning, the fraudulent messages mimic official communications and contain a link that leads to phishing sites or installs malware on the victim’s device. The scam exploits the urgency of utility payments to trick users into revealing personal and financial information.
In response, banks across the country have begun sending awareness messages to their customers, urging them to verify any such SMS with the official electricity board and to avoid clicking unknown links. The RBI advises the public to treat unsolicited payment requests with caution and to report suspicious messages to their bank.
The central bank also recommends that customers regularly update their mobile security settings, use reputable antivirus apps, and refrain from sharing OTPs or banking credentials via SMS or phone calls.