Bank KYC Update SMS Scam over the phone

How it looks over the phone, the red flags and what to do.

Callers pretend to be bank staff, police, a courier, a telecom officer or a relative, and they try to keep you on the line while you act. Bank KYC Update SMS Scam is one of the ways this shows up: An SMS says your bank KYC has expired and your account will be blocked today. The link or number steals your details and OTP.

What bank kyc update sms scam looks like over the phone

• An unknown or international number, or a number that looks like a real office.
• A calm, official voice that already knows your name or the last digits of your card.
• Being told to stay on the line and not to tell your family.

The scammer sends the same message to huge lists of numbers, assuming that some of the receivers hold an account with the bank named. Because the SMS says 'dear customer' with no name, it fits almost anyone. A short deadline, such as 'today' or 'within 24 hours', takes away your time to check with the branch or the bank's app.

Red flags to check on the phone call

• The message has no name and says 'dear customer'.
• A link is used to update KYC instead of the bank's app or branch.
• PAN, card details and OTP are asked together.
• A same-day deadline and account block are threatened.
• The caller asks for an OTP, UPI PIN, card PIN or CVV.
• You are told that a case, arrest, block or penalty is coming within minutes.

What to do

1. Do not tap the link or call the number.
2. Open your bank's official app or visit the branch to check if KYC is pending.
3. Never share an OTP, PIN or password in reply to a message.
4. Call the bank or office on the number printed on your card, bill or official app, not on a number the caller gave.
5. Never share an OTP or PIN. No genuine staff member needs it.
6. If you already installed an app on the call, uninstall it and switch on airplane mode, then call your bank at once.

Report the number on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility). If money moved, call 1930 immediately.

If money or a code is already gone

1. Call 1930 at once if money left your account, giving the time and amount.
2. Call your bank on the number on your card or passbook and block cards and net banking.
3. Change your passwords and PIN from a safe device.
4. Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in with the message and screenshots.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930; report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Safeavio's scam check reviews the SMS you paste or share and gives a plain verdict with reasons such as urgency, fake authority and OTP asks. The link check examines the link for lookalike domains and shortened addresses before you open it. It does not read your messages on its own and cannot confirm your KYC status, so ask your bank.

Full guide: Bank KYC Update SMS Scam: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: SMS, WhatsApp, email.

Questions