Cyber Frauds: Banks lost Rs 52.6 Cr in 2012; RBI maintains no data for public sector banks
By TIOL News Service
NEW DELHI, FEB 23, 2013: BANK frauds relating to ATMs, Debit Cards, Credit cards and Internet banking are common across the world. India is no exception. As per RBI, it maintains no data fo such frauds in public sector banks but it has data for Scheduled Commercial Banks, which are as follows:
| Sl. No. | Calendar Year | (Rs. In lakhs) |
Total cases reported | Amount involved |
1. | 2010 | 15018 | 4048.94 |
2. | 2011 | 9588 | 3672.19 |
3. | 2012 | 8322 | 5266.95 |
*Bank wise details of Cyber Frauds for the last 3 years is at Annex – 1.
The measures initiated by RBI to strengthen security arrangements are as under:-
(i) RBI acts as per the Master Circular RBI.DBS.FrMC.BC.No.1/23.04.001/2012-13 dated July 02, 2012 on “Frauds – Classification and reporting” containing all the details/aspects relating to frauds. The same is also available on the website of RBI i.e. www.rbi.org.in . On receipt of fraud reports from banks, various aspects related to the frauds are examined and concerned banks are advised to report the case to CBI/ Police/ SFIO, examine staff accountability, complete proceedings against the erring staff expeditiously, take steps to recover the amount involved in the fraud, claim insurance wherever applicable and streamline the system as also procedures so that frauds do not recur.
(ii) RBI has issued two circulars viz; (i) ‘Security arrangements for ATMs of bank' dated February 22, 2006 and (ii) ‘Skimming of ATM/Credit Cards' dated June 26,2006 advising banks to take various preventive measures to combat frauds relating to skimming or duplicating of credit cards. The preventive measures include educating customers through cautionary messages posted in the web-site of card issuing banks, informing customers not to reveal PIN in response to requests received through e-mails, to periodically verify the transaction history, immediate reporting to the bank, if any unauthorized transaction is observed, and inform the bank if the card is lost or stolen.
(iii) On the basis of suggestions of a Working Group set up by RBI in 2010, RBI has issued guidelines which are fundamentally expected to enhance safety, security, efficiency in banking processes leading to benefits for banks and their customers. The implementation progress are required to be reviewed and report submitted to the Board on quarterly basis.
(iv) RBI vide its Master Circular dated 1.7.2011, on ”Credit Card Operation of Banks” advised banks to set up internal control systems to combat frauds and to take pro-active fraud control and enforcement measures and to ensure that credit card operations were run on sound, prudent and profitable lines as also fulfill ‘Know Your Customer' requirement, assess credit risk of customers, specify terms and conditions in clear and simple language, ensure prompt dispatch of bills, maintain customer confidentiality etc.
(v) All Commercial Banks have also been cautioned by RBI vide letter dated. 16.02.2006 on phishing attacks which contained details of the modus-operandi on such attacks and minimum set of preventive/detective measures to tackle phishing attacks.
(vi) Besides above, public is advised through press releases/notifications regarding not to reveal account details, do not fall prey to fictitious offers of fund transfer, remittance towards participation in lottery, money circulation schemes, and other fictitious offers of cheap funds etc.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Finance, Mr Namo Narian Meena in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
