25/05/2026
To verify a bank message on WhatsApp, follow these steps carefully. This is especially important in India, where WhatsApp banking scams are common.
1. Do Not Respond, Click Links, or Share Anything Immediately
• Never share OTPs, passwords, card details, UPI PIN, or personal information.
• Avoid clicking any links — they often lead to fake websites that steal your data.
• Scammers create urgency (“Your account will be blocked in 2 hours!”) to make you act fast.
2. Check the Sender’s Number
• Save and compare it with the official WhatsApp banking number of your bank (these are public and verified):
◦ SBI: +91 90226 90226
◦ HDFC Bank: +91 70700 22222
◦ ICICI Bank: +91 86400 86400
◦ Axis Bank: +91 70361 65000
◦ Bank of Baroda: +91 84338 88777
◦ Others (like PNB, Kotak, etc.) have their own official numbers — check your bank’s website/app.
• Genuine bank messages usually come from their official verified business account (look for a green verification tick or business label).
3. Verify Through Official Channels (Safest Method)
• Call your bank using the customer care number printed on the back of your debit/credit card or from the official bank app/website (never from the WhatsApp message).
• Log into your bank’s mobile app or net banking and check for any real alerts.
• Visit the bank’s official website directly (type the URL manually, don’t click links).
4. Red Flags of a Fake Message
• Unsolicited message from an unknown or slightly different number.
• Asking for OTP, personal details, or to “verify” your account.
• Poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or generic greetings.
• Threats or too-good-to-be-true offers.
• Links that look like bank-security.com instead of the real bank domain.
5. Additional Safety Tips
• Enable Two-Step Verification in WhatsApp (Settings → Account → Two-step verification).
• Banks rarely ask for sensitive info via WhatsApp. Most important communications come via SMS, registered email, or app push notifications.
• RBI has official WhatsApp channels for general awareness (e.g., +91 99990 41935), but they don’t handle individual accounts or ask for personal details.
