Numbers starting with 1600 will be used for transaction-related communications from banking services, while numbers beginning with 140 will be used for promotional calls and SMS
Fraud and spam calls are a common nuisance these days. Mobile users are often frustrated by the constant barrage of spam calls. Cases of scams and financial fraud through these calls have also become increasingly frequent. Many users fall victim to such scams, mistaking the calls for genuine communications from their banks. To address this growing concern, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a significant step.
The RBI has introduced two dedicated phone number series for financial institutions to use when making transaction and marketing calls to their customers. This initiative aims to protect mobile users from fraudulent calls and improve trust in legitimate communications.
According to the latest RBI notice, banks are now required to use phone numbers starting with 1600 for all transaction-related calls. In other words, any legitimate call regarding a transaction or financial matter should begin with the number 1600. This measure will help users identify authentic calls and steer clear of potential scams.
Similarly, for marketing calls and SMS, the RBI has allocated two distinct number ranges. Numbers starting with 1600 will be used for transaction-related communications from banking services, while numbers beginning with 140 will be used for promotional calls and SMS notifications offering services like personal loans, credit cards, or insurance.
This initiative will assist users in distinguishing genuine bank offers from fraudulent claims made by scammers pretending to represent banks.
