Fraud ALERT! Bank of Baroda customers being targeted with fake ‘Pensioner Card’ offers – Scam revealed; safety tips EXPLAINED

Fake ‘Pensioner Card’ alert: Bank of Baroda customers, especially senior citizens and pensioners, who are receiving texts or getting calls on special pension benefits need to be careful. Even, people who are stopping by 'Pension social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp, should now become aware of an ongoing scam.

Amid a rise in digital fraud, scammers have now found a new way to dupe customers. They are circulating fake “Pensioner Card” offers on social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp to trick people into sharing personal and banking details.

Bank Cautious Customers Against Sharing Sensitive Information

Taking cognisance of the online scam, Bank of Baroda has stepped in with a clarification. It claims to have not issued any new Pensioner Card online and that any such texts should be treated as unauthorised.

Meanwhile, scammers are reportedly using these messages to lure people into sharing personal information, including OTPs, PINs, Aadhaar details and bank account information.

Common Tricks Used By Scammers

According to the PSU bank, following are some of the common tactics used by fraudsters to target customers:

- Sending fake Pensioner Cards to create panic or urgency

- Asking for details like OTPs, PINs, CVV, Aadhaar, PAN, or bank information

- Sending links for “pension update” or “verification”

- Claiming to be bank officials or government staff

- Bank of Baroda claims that it never asks for confidential information over phone calls, WhatsApp, or SMS and advised customers to remain cautious.

Tips To Safeguard From Online Fraudsters

The PSU bank has also shared a few steps which pensioners and senior citizens can follow to curb such online frauds:

- Not to click on unknown or suspicious links

- Never share OTPs, PINs, or passwords with anyone

- Avoid installing apps, especially screen-sharing apps

- Always verify such messages with a family member or your bank branch

Rs 8,189 Cr Saved From Cyber Criminals

The government has saved Rs 8,189 crore from getting stolen by cyber criminals in more than 23.61 lakh cases reported during the last four years, the government informed, according to news agency PTI.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar had said that from 2021 to 2025, more than 23.61 lakh complaints were received on the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) launched by the ministry, the report added.

"The CFCFRMS, under I4C, has been launched in 2021 for immediate reporting of financial frauds and to stop siphoning off funds by the fraudsters. Till 31.12.2025, financial amount of more than Rs 8,189 crore has been saved in more than 23.61 lakh complaints," the minister was quoted as saying by PTI.