Dormant Account Reactivation Scam by SMS

How it looks by SMS, the red flags and what to do.

SMS scams lean on short, urgent lines and a shortened link. The message looks official because the sender name (header) is shaped to resemble a real organisation. Dormant Account Reactivation Scam is one of the ways this shows up: A message says your unused bank account will be closed unless you reactivate it through a link. The page steals your login and OTP.

What dormant account reactivation scam looks like by SMS

• A shortened or oddly spelled link that does not match the real website.
• A request to call a number, install an app or share an OTP.
• Several near-identical messages arriving together from different senders.

The scammer sends the same message to many numbers and hopes that some of them will have an old or rarely used account. The text says that the account has been inactive for a long time and will be closed within hours. It uses the bank's name, a short link and a line saying that any balance will be moved to a government fund, which sounds serious.

Red flags to check on the text message

• A message says your account will be closed today.
• A link is offered to reactivate it.
• The page asks for password, card PIN and OTP together.
• The message mentions moving your balance to a fund.
• It threatens blocking, arrest, disconnection or a fine unless you act at once.
• It promises a refund, prize or cashback you never asked for.

What to do

1. Do not tap the link or enter any detail.
2. Check the account's status in the bank's official app or at the branch.
3. Do not share an OTP or card PIN for any activation.
4. Report the sender on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) and block the number.
5. Delete the message and tell family members who may get the same text.
6. Do not reply, do not tap the link and do not call the number in the message.

You can report suspicious SMS and calls on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) of the Department of Telecommunications.

If money or a code is already gone

1. Call your bank on the number on your passbook and block net banking, cards and UPI.
2. Call 1930 and give the time, amount and transaction IDs.
3. Ask the bank to check for changed contact details or payees on the account.
4. Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in with the message and page screenshots.

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

Safeavio's scam check reviews the text you paste or share and gives a plain verdict with reasons such as urgency, fake authority and OTP asks, while the link check looks at the link for lookalike domains and shortened addresses. It cannot see your account status, so use your bank's official app or visit the branch to check. Ask your bank.

Full guide: Dormant Account Reactivation Scam: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: WhatsApp, email, phone call.

Questions