SBI Alerts Customers About Authentic Phone Numbers to Prevent Digital Fraud

India’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI), has issued an important advisory to its customers regarding phone calls to protect them from digital fraud and phishing scams. The bank clarified that calls from phone numbers starting with +91-1600 are completely authentic and secure. These calls are strictly related to banking transactions and service updates.

Customers are advised to remain cautious about calls from any other numbers and never share personal or sensitive information over the phone unless they are certain of the caller’s identity.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) instructed all banks and financial institutions in January 2025 to use phone numbers starting with “1600xx” exclusively for customer service and transaction-related calls. For marketing and promotional calls, numbers beginning with “140xx” should be used.

This directive aims to help customers easily distinguish between genuine bank calls and fraudulent or spam calls, reducing the risk of cyber fraud.

SBI has publicly shared the list of phone numbers from which it makes calls. Customers can safely trust calls from these numbers:

• 1600-01-8000

• 1600-01-8003

• 1600-01-8006

• 1600-11-7012

• 1600-11-7015

• 1600-01-8001

• 1600-01-8004

• 1600-01-8007

• 1600-11-7013

• 1600-00-1351

• 1600-01-8002

• 1600-01-8005

• 1600-11-7011

• 1600-01-7014

• 1600-10-0021

If customers receive calls from any other number claiming to be SBI, they should be highly cautious and avoid sharing personal information.

With the increase in digital payments in India, cases of cyber fraud have also surged. Mobile phones now play a crucial role in banking, serving as the primary channel for OTPs, transaction alerts, and account updates.

Fraudsters often misuse phone numbers to impersonate banks and trap customers. Hence, both RBI and SBI urge customers to only trust calls from the official “1600xx” numbers and remain vigilant against suspicious calls.

• Trust only calls from phone numbers starting with +91-1600.

• Do not share personal information on calls from unknown or suspicious numbers.

• Never disclose OTPs, passwords, or other sensitive bank-related details over the phone.

• Immediately report any suspicious call to the bank.

By following these precautions, customers can protect themselves from falling victim to phone scams and cyber fraud.