Fake RBI voicemail seeks people's bank details in new scam, warns govt

Fraudsters pretend to be calling on behalf of central bank to raise concocted issues, says fact check unit

hack, Cyber Crime, Scam
hack, Cyber Crime, Scam(Photo: Shutterstock)
Amit Kumar New Delhi
2 min read Last Updated : Nov 21 2025 | 2:49 PM IST
Cheats are sending voicemails impersonating the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and claiming that a recipient is at risk due to issues with a credit card or bank account, the government’s fact check unit has said.
 
“Beware! This is a scam,” it said on X.
 

How the scam works

 
The caller pretends to be from the RBI and cites concocted issues with your bank account or credit card.
 
The intent is to pressure recipients and make them share personal banking information.
 
Victims who respond risk losing money directly from their accounts or exposing sensitive personal data.
 

Government advice for the public

 
PIB Fact Check urged citizens to verify suspicious messages claiming to be from central government agencies. People are advised:
 
Do not respond to unsolicited calls or voicemails claiming urgent action on your bank account.
 
Never share banking passwords, OTPs, or card details with anyone, even if the caller claims to be from RBI.
 
Report suspected scams to official channels. The PIB Fact Check team can be reached at +91 87997 11259 or via factcheck@pib.gov.in.
 
Stay alert, protect your accounts
 
With scams evolving rapidly, awareness remains the best defence. RBI and government authorities have consistently advised citizens to treat any unsolicited financial alerts with scepticism. Remember, the RBI does not make individual calls or send voicemails threatening account suspension.
 
By remaining vigilant and following official guidance, bank account holders can safeguard themselves against such fraudulent schemes.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

Topics :BS Web Reports

First Published: Nov 21 2025 | 2:39 PM IST

Next Story