To avoid misuse, SBoP blocks 17,000 debit cards

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 26

State Bank of Patiala has blocked 17,000 debit cards of its customers as a precautionary measure after “suspicious” transactions that hit State Bank of India and its associate banks and private banks. The bank reportedly blocked the cards to avoid their misuse. Overall, the bank has 35 lakh credit cards.

“We have blocked around 17,000 debit cards where we suspect fraudulent transactions can happen, as a precautionary measure. We will reissue debit cards to these customers free of cost,” said a senior official in State Bank of Patiala.

However, he ruled out any possibility of fraudulent transactions having taken place in their bank. Many of the customers also complained that their cards were blocked without any prior notice. However, the bank authorities said the customers were informed about the same via SMS. It was also informed that those customers with obsolete cards should apply for new cards soon.

The bank claimed it had sent SMS to their customers to change their PIN. The SMS requests the customer to change their PIN and if they fail to do so their card will be blocked.

After instances of fraudulent transactions came to light, SBI and its associate banks had advised their customers to change debit card personal identification number (PIN) as a precautionary measure. In many cases, the cards were blocked where the customers failed to change their PIN number within stipulated time.