RBI cautions against fraud using its name

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cautioned the public against unscrupulous elements that use various methods to defraud people by using the name of the central bank in some capacity.

RBI said these fraudsters use enticing tactics like fake letterheads and email addresses of RBI, impersonating as employees of RBI or intimidating tactics via calls, SMS or emails impersonating as RBI officials threatening to freeze/block/deactivate bank accounts of recipients and convince/coerce them to share certain personal details, account/login details/ card information, PIN, OTP, etc. or install some unauthorised/ unverified application using a link provided in the communication.

RBI has also come across websites and appsunauthorised digital lending apps and other supposed financial services providers, which fraudulently claim to be registered with the regulator as NBFC, lending app, payment system operator, it said.