SBI issues fraud alert: How to recognize and avoid scam messages

If you or someone in your household has an account with the State Bank of India (SBI), this information is crucial. SBI has recently issued a warning to its customers about fraudulent messages regarding the redemption of reward points. The bank has advised against clicking on any links received via SMS or WhatsApp, or downloading any associated applications or files.

Rising Threat of Fraudulent Messages

In light of increasing cases of spam and fraud, SBI has urged its customers to remain vigilant. Cybercriminals have been deploying new tactics to scam individuals, particularly through fake APK links that falsely claim to allow users to redeem reward points. These deceptive messages have been designed to trick unsuspecting recipients into compromising their security.

SBI's Official Clarification

SBI has clarified that it never sends any links through SMS or WhatsApp, emphasising the importance of caution among its customers. The bank offers reward points for payments made through its banking channels, with each point valued at 25 paise. Many users accumulate a substantial balance of unredeemed points over several months, which hackers exploit by sending fake redemption links to defraud them.

Steps to Safely Redeem Your Reward Points

To safely check and redeem your SBI reward points, follow these steps:

• Visit the official SBI reward redemption site 
• Click on the "New User" option.
• Enter your SBI Rewardz Customer ID and verify your personal details using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
• Once verified, proceed to redeem your reward points.

CERT-In Alerts on Vulnerabilities

Meanwhile, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, has issued a warning about vulnerabilities in Google Chrome and Siemens products. These vulnerabilities could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. Affected versions of Google Chrome include those prior to 125.0.6422.112.113 for Windows and Mac, and versions before 125.0.6422.112 for Linux. Users are advised to update their software to the latest versions to mitigate these risks.

By staying informed and cautious, SBI customers can protect themselves from fraud and ensure their online safety.