RBI Enhances Security for Mobile Users in India
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a significant step to protect millions of mobile users from financial fraud. Under the new guidelines, banks and financial institutions will only use two specific phone number series to communicate with customers.
This move aims to curb fraudulent calls where scammers pose as banking representatives. Let’s delve into the details of this customer-friendly initiative.
Key Changes: Numbers for Secure Banking Communication
1. Transactional Calls from Numbers Starting with 1600
Banks will now use phone numbers starting with 1600 for all transaction-related calls.
- If you receive a call about a financial transaction, it must originate from a number beginning with 1600.
- This ensures users can distinguish legitimate banking calls from fraudulent ones.
How This Helps: Users can confidently ignore calls not adhering to this format, reducing the risk of financial scams.
2. Marketing Calls and SMS from Numbers Starting with 140
For marketing-related communication, including personal loan offers, credit card promotions, or insurance services, banks will use numbers starting with 140.
- Expect all promotional SMS and calls from banks to originate from numbers beginning with 140.
- Scammers who use unofficial numbers to mimic such offers will be easier to identify.
Additional Measures to Combat Fraud
Sanchar Saathi App for Cybersecurity
To further enhance security, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced the Sanchar Saathi app, a tool to:
- Report cyber fraud: Users can quickly lodge complaints about fraudulent activities.
- Track lost mobile phones: Helps users locate and recover their devices.
Customer Focus: Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted the app’s privacy-centric approach during its launch, ensuring user data is secure.
Sanchar Saathi Portal
The app complements the Sanchar Saathi portal, launched in 2023, which has already shown great success in fraud prevention. Together, these tools create a comprehensive system to counter mobile-related fraud.
New 4G Network Facility for Seamless Connectivity
In addition to combating fraud, the government has rolled out the Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) facility.
- What It Does: Enables users from any network to access 4G services via a single tower funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).
- Benefit: Enhanced connectivity for users, even in remote areas, without network restrictions.
How These Changes Benefit You
| Feature | Impact |
|---|---|
| Dedicated Numbers (1600, 140) | Reduced scam calls; secure banking communication. |
| Sanchar Saathi App | Easy fraud reporting and phone recovery. |
| Intra Circle Roaming | Better 4G access nationwide. |
These initiatives collectively enhance user safety and improve connectivity, ensuring a more secure digital ecosystem for all.
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