It has come to the notice of the Reserve Bank of India today that a fake website has been created at http://www.rbi-inonline.org/savings.html by some unknown persons offering various banking facilities and asking members of public to apply on-line for opening “RBI Savings Account”.

The Reserve Bank clarifies that as India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India does not offer services offered by commercial banks, such as, savings bank account, current bank account or credit cards. As such, the question of the Reserve Bank offering online banking services, as is indicated on the fake site, does not arise. The Reserve Bank has cautioned members of public not to fall prey to spurious offers made by the fake website. The Reserve Bank has further cautioned members of public that applying on line on that website could result in compromising one’s own crucial personal information, that may be misused to cause financial and other loss to them.

Members of public may visit the official website of RBI at rbi.org.in and see press releases issued earlier which are made available as scrolling headlines for more information about various kinds of fictitious offers of huge moneys sent in the name of the Reserve Bank or its Governor and other senior officials and what to do in case of receiving such offers.

Alpana Killawala

Principal Chief General Manager

Fake website impersonation alert: central bank does not offer retail banking; avoid sharing personal data online. A fake website impersonating the Reserve Bank offered retail banking services and online account openings; the Bank clarifies it does not offer commercial banking services and warns that submitting personal information on the fraudulent site may lead to compromise and misuse. The public is directed to the official website for authoritative press releases and guidance and is cautioned to verify sources and avoid sharing sensitive information on unauthorised sites.