Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 17: A woman from Hiriadka has joined a long list of bank customers, who have been duped by seeking their ATM card details over phone by unscrupulous persons, who introduce themselves as bank officials.

Rajashree, wife of Jagadish Nayak from Kudi in Hiriadka in the district filed a complaint in Manipal police station on Tuesday December 16, seeking to recover Rs 19,619 her family had lost after she revealed details of an ATM card to a person over phone.

"A person, who called my husband's cell phone on December 14, introduced himself as a manager working for State Bank of India, New Delhi, He said he requires some details to extend the validity of the ATM card, and collected details like SB account number, 16 digit number of the ATM card, PIN etc. We grew doubtful after the call ended, and went to the ATM to verify the balance. We found that the balance in our account was withdrawn. On the next day, we went to the bank and confirmed that the said amount had been indeed debited to the above account," she said.

Scores of such incidents are being reported from various parts of the country, and even educated persons fall prey to the tactics of the internet-savvy people who plan to usurp money belonging to others. The banks therefore have a duty to alert their customers through pamphlets or frequent cell phone messages about the dangers posed by strangers who are out to exploit the innocence of bank clientele.