Got message about Punjab Bank financial scheme? It is fake

By Abhik SenguptaSome Punjab National Bank (PNB) customers are receiving a message related to a financial scheme, but the government has clearly deemed it fake. In a tweet by PIB (Press Bureau of India), customers are receiving a fraudulent message claiming there’s a reward worth Rs 6,000 under PNB 130th government financial scheme. The message received as an SMS or via WhatsApp may include a link to steal users’ data for financial gains. The tweet states, “chance to win a Financial Subsidy worth Rs 6,000 from Punjab National Bank,” adding that “it is a scam and not related to PNB.”

Even the Punjab National Bank has released a statement asking customers to be more careful. The statement reads, “These are fake messages and the PNB brand name is being used to perpetuate different forms of fraud. In some cases, these frauds are attempts at identity theft and financial scams.” The bank adds, “As a precautionary step, we also urge our customers not to divulge any confidential/personal/financial information via phone calls or emails and not to click/download any suspicious links, even if they appear legitimate.”

As India continues to transition into a digital ecosystem, online scams are becoming more common.

India Today also spoke to nearly 100 victims of online fraud, who collectively lost nearly Rs 2.5 crore. The scam usually begins with a message from scammers pretending to be HR representatives from well-known companies. In some cases, users receive messages claiming reward money under government schemes or others.

Scammers often persuade their victims to open a link or follow social media accounts. In some cases, scammers send money to gain the victim’s trust. Victims may believe they are involved in a legitimate business when scammers provide daily payments to their accounts. However, scammers extract users’ data and steal money from their accounts.

There are times when scammers come up with new techniques and you’re left to wonder whether the message is legitimate. For instance, late last year, many customers started receiving messages claiming users’ electricity bills were due. The message was alarming enough to influence even a tech-savvy person to not give a second thought and make a payment immediately.