Our culture is deeply defined by the selfless act of sharing…Words of advice like, ‘it is good to share’ and ‘sharing is caring’ often come up in conversations. Whether it is memes, news, gift vouchers—sharing can bring you happiness. While that might be true in some contexts, it is not the case when it comes to sharing information related to your bank. Every day, there are numerous incidents and reports of people being exposed to security risks or being scammed because their sensitive information fell into the hands of scammers or cybercriminals.

The main reason for this is that too much personal information is shared on a daily basis on unauthorized websites or applications without even realising the repercussions of it. Scammers looking to break into your private accounts could use any piece of information you share on chatting websites or apps. For this reason, it is wise to stick to authentic, authorized platforms and be aware of your vulnerable information and where you share it.

To tackle this recurring problem, RBL Bank has launched #UnShare, an initiative that promotes the habit of being cautious and not sharing your ATM PIN, CVV, OTP and any other crucial bank details, to keep you safe from fraudulent activities.

Common sharing habits of users that should be avoided:

    • Sharing ATM/Debit card/Credit card details over SMS
    • Sharing ATM PIN/CVV randomly with acquaintances
    • Sharing bank details on various mobile applications
    • Sharing CVV or other personal information over calls
    • Sharing OTT platform accounts with multiple people
    • Sharing your PIN number with waiters at restaurants or cafes
    • Sharing account details on chatting websites or apps
    • Getting carried away with dubious offers that lead to suspicious websites which ask for bank details or vulnerable personal information
    • Sharing PIN number with your family member or a colleague to withdraw money
    • Sharing bank detail images on WhatsApp
    • Sharing card details on websites for faster checkouts
    • Sharing account passwords with friends or family
    • Sharing transaction messages on mobile phone
    • Sharing your UPI ID on unauthorized websites
    • Sharing OTP number on phone

Be aware that simply knowing someone really well or using a reputed service is not a reason to share your banking/confidential information. It does not matter what reasons they give or how convincing it sounds, you should never provide sensitive information about your banking account. If it involves a company or person storing your banking or personal information, you have the right to ask questions before sharing any information.

Nowadays, email is often one of the easiest ways to contact someone, but it’s not always a secure way to communicate especially if you’re sharing valuable information, like your bank account number.

Public Wi-Fi is also said to be convenient when you need to stay connected on the go, but you can’t count on it to be secure. One of the biggest threats with public Wi-Fi is the ability for scammers to position themselves between you and the connection point. So, instead of connecting directly with the hotspot, you end up sending your information to the scammer. Then they have access to every piece of information you send out including emails, phone numbers, credit card information, business data and the list goes on.

Many scammers even pose themselves as bank officials in order to trick you into sharing your banking details. No Bank will ever ask for your confidential information via phone or email. So whether you get an apparent phone call from the bank or an email requesting your details, do not give out your confidential information.

Remember, it’s safe to #UnShare than to be sorry!