Alert SBI Customers? Your bank warns over fake social media accounts; here's how to detect them

Representational Image: Photo: PTI

The world of technology is a boon and a curse in its own self. Where it helps in making your life easier, on the same page, it is also used in committing frauds, cyber threat, internet crime and hacks. These days being save from such fraudulent practice is very important, especially when it comes to your identity and financial credentials. The higher the organisation, the higher is risk of cyber threat when it comes to banking system. This is surely proven by the news of hacking, phishing scams taken place in banks. However, the largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) is keen on making its customer aware over such illegal acts. The bank has been on occasional basis alerting its customers to be aware of a host of fake apps, ATM fraud and fake websites. Now in a latest development, SBI has warned its customers over chatting on social media fake bank account.

Customers can be fooled by many ways when it comes to a cyber crime. There are some apps who lure you into giving your financial details, while some send you fake emails and message. Some rob you of your money from even ATMs. Meanwhile, some try to connect with your via websites where chatting portals are given by majority of banks.

SBI has been taking steps in overcoming such situations, considering the bank’s customers were recently trapped in fake bank apps. Now the lender believes of warning its customers over fake social media account.

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On its official Twitter account, SBI says, “Do not invest your time and money interacting with fake accounts on social media.”

It adds, “Follow, tag and interact with only the verified, official handles of SBI, to ensure that your comments, complaints, and enquiries get adequately addressed and you are not scammed by fraudsters.”

SBI also revealed the signs in which a customer can differentiate between fake and real social media account.

Do not invest your time and money interacting with fake accounts on social media. Follow, tag and interact with only the verified, official handles of SBI, to ensure that your comments, complaints, and enquiries get adequately addressed and you are not scammed by fraudsters. pic.twitter.com/2Kb1Z9Ncgx

— State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) November 12, 2018

At SBI, these are the real social media account.

On Facebook - @StateBankOfIndia

On Instagram - @theofficialsbi

On Twitter - @TheOfficialSBi

On Linkedin - State Bank of India (SBI)

On Google+ - State Bank of India

On Youtube - State Bank of India

On Quora - State Bank of India (SBI)

It needs to be noted that, making a fake account on social media is quite easy, even Bollywood biggies are trapped under this movement. Each coming day, more and more people regardless of age or gender are signing up for social media profiles. It would not be wrong to say, social media a world in itself.!

Making a fake social media account has increasingly become very common. Hence, it becomes very important for a customer to spot a fake social media account when carrying a financial queries. Here are some of the way to spot the fake ones.

Firstly, always check the updates posted by the suspected fake profile. There can be updates that being posted with spelling error or very old. Some users can ask you about your financial details in regards to query over your bank account. Before providing in such information, make sure to call your bank’s customer service number. It’s the first step for being aware.

Secondly, check out accounts which are repeatedly pushed out spam. Some of the signs are sharing of same links on multiple times within shorter period of time. Or providing discounts or offers to make you talk over your financial information.

Thirdly, make sure to check out verification indicator on the social media accounts of high-profile users. For instance, Twitter highlights a light blue verification badge (check-mark icon) at the top left corner of a verified account, above the profile name, Twitter handle and bio.

Have an update of an social media network FAQs for knowing the look and location of a legitimate verification indicator.

Also, look out for the followers and subscribers list when looking through a legitimate social media account. The real account will always have a maximum number of subscribers.

Look out for phony reviews and ratings. Generally, fake reviews do not have comments involved in regards to a company’s products or services, instead they are overwhelming positive or negative feedbacks.

Negative feedback can also be on original social media, however, you will see someone from bank contacting you or handling your query within short span of time. Whereas, in case of fake apps, these reviews are not reverted.

Verbal language used on fake apps, are generally wrong and foul. Also spelling mistakes, error in any information makes it evident that they are fake.

When you are given any information over banks lending rates, deposits rates, debit cards, credit cards or any other services given by a bank. Always first check it with bank before giving information to these queries.

Thereby, remain wise when managing your money and be always alert when it comes to your bank account.

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