SBI advisory: Change debit card PIN

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18

Following instances of fraudulent transactions coming to light, country's largest bank SBI and its associated banks have 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 within stipulated time. However, the quantum of number of cards blocked in the northern region could not be ascertained.

Many customers also complained that their cards were blocked without prior notice. However, the bank authorities said the customers were informed about the same via SMS. The bank also said those customers with obsolete cards should apply for new cards soon.

SBI and associated banks claimed that it sent SMS to their customers to change their PIN. The bank authorities said they were doing this in the wake of number of ATM frauds.

A senior official in SBI confirmed the development and said it had come to light that certain fraudulent transactions took place in the US and China, so the bank has sent the SMS to their customers to change their PIN as a precautionary measure.

Echoing similar sentiments, a senior official in State Bank of Patiala said, "Some fraudulent transactions were reported in Agra and Kochi. Taking cognisance of this development, we have asked our customers through SMS to change their debit card PIN."