The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on January 17, 2025, notified regarding the Prevention of financial frauds perpetrated using voice calls and SMS – Regulatory prescriptions and Institutional Safeguards.
The rise of digital transactions has made processes more efficient but also increased the risk of fraud. A mobile number, crucial for account verification and receiving sensitive information like OTPs and transaction alerts, has become a prime target for fraudsters. Scammers exploit this to commit various online frauds, making it essential to address this vulnerability with enhanced security measures.
To mitigate the misuse of mobile numbers, Regulated Entities (REs) are advised to take the following actions:
• Utilize the Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL) on the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to clean and monitor customer databases, ensuring action is taken to update and verify registered mobile numbers (RMNs). This includes enhanced monitoring of accounts linked to revoked numbers to prevent fraud.
• Provide verified customer care numbers to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for publishing on the “Sanchar Saathi” portal to enhance customer safety.
• Use designated numbering series: For transactional/service calls, REs should use the ‘1600xx’ series, and for promotional calls, the ‘140xx’ series. They must follow TRAI’s guidelines for sending commercial communication via voice calls or SMS.
• Raise awareness through emails, SMS, and other communication channels, including in vernacular languages, to educate customers about these measures.
All REs are advised to ensure compliance with the above instructions expeditiously, in any case not later than March 31, 2025.
Please find annexed the “Important Guidelines for sending commercial communication using telecom resources through Voice Calls or SMS”.
[Notification No. RBI/2024-25/105 CEPD.CO.OBD.No.S1270/50-01-001/2024-25]
