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India’s largest public sector lender, State Bank of India, has issued an important advisory warning customers about the growing number of phone-based scams and clarifying how to identify genuine calls coming from the bank. As incidents of cyber fraud are on the rise across the country, the bank has appealed to account holders to remain vigilant and understand which numbers can be trusted.

Official numbers customers can trust

In a recent announcement shared through its official communication channel, the bank said that the calls coming from numbers starting with +91-1600 are genuine and are connected to SBI’s authorized system. According to the bank, these numbers are used only for official banking communications, including transaction alerts, service updates or customer verification.

This was issued clearly so that customers can differentiate between genuine calls and fraud calls. Many scammers impersonate bank officials to extract sensitive details like OTP, PIN or account information. By identifying official number patterns, customers can avoid falling victim to such schemes.

Why did the bank give this warning

Phone scams have increased in recent years, with fraudsters adopting new methods to extract confidential information from people. Criminals often pose as bank officials and spread fear by saying that the account is blocked, under investigation, or in danger. They then pressure the victims to share personal information or transfer money.

SBI stressed that its aim is to prevent such incidents by keeping customers informed. The bank reiterated that security is its top priority and awareness is one of the strongest defenses against financial frauds.

Important safety tips for customers

• The bank has issued some precautions which every account holder should follow:
• Never share OTP, ATM PIN, CVV number or password over the phone.
• Avoid unasked or suspicious calls.
• Do not click on unknown links received from SMS or messaging apps.
• If you are unsure about a call, disconnect it and contact the bank directly through the official channel.

The advisory states that genuine bank representatives will never ask for confidential credentials. Any caller asking for such details should be immediately treated with suspicion.

Awareness campaigns are becoming stronger due to increasing fraud cases

This alert has come at a time when financial scams are increasing through calls and messages. Fraudsters often target elderly customers or people who are not familiar with the digital banking system. By impersonating officials, they try to build trust and trick victims into taking quick action without verification.

SBI is trying to spread awareness by using campaigns and social media hashtags like #StaySafeWithSBI and #FraudAwareness to educate people about common scam methods and ways to prevent them.

Real example shows the importance of vigilance

A case from last year shows how awareness and quick thinking can prevent fraud. In that incident, bank staff intervened just in time to prevent an elderly customer from transferring money to the scammer by posing as an officer. The fraudster tried to scare the customer by saying that he was in “digital arrest” and needed it immediately.

Due to the alertness of the branch staff, the suspicious situation was identified and stopped before any financial loss could occur. This incident demonstrated how trained staff and informed customers together create a strong defense against cybercrime.

Training and preparation within the bank

SBI said that its employees receive regular training for fraud detection and cyber-security awareness. Staff members are trained to recognize suspicious patterns, help customers verify communications, and take immediate action if a potential scam is identified. This internal preparation complements customer awareness efforts and strengthens overall security.

Awareness is the best protection

The bank’s new advisory emphasizes a simple but important message: informed customers are less likely to become victims. Understanding which calls are legitimate, being wary of unknown contacts, and verifying information directly from official sources can significantly reduce risk.

As digital banking grows, experts are emphasizing that awareness and vigilance are the most effective ways to keep personal finances safe. SBI’s guidance is a timely reminder that technology makes banking easier, but it also requires customers to remain alert and informed at all times.