A viral social media post claiming that BSNL customers’ SIM KYC has been suspended by TRAI, leading to SIM deactivation within 24 hours, has been circulating widely. The notice also includes a contact number for a “KYC verification executive,” urging users to call immediately. However, Channeliam Fact Check has found this claim to be false.
Fake BSNL Notice Spreads Misinformation
The viral message suggests that BSNL is deactivating SIM cards unless customers update their KYC details. However, BSNL has clarified that this notice is completely fake and is being circulated by fraudsters to deceive users. The message is part of a long-running scam designed to extract personal and financial information.
Authorities Confirm the Notice is Fake
A search for similar cases led to an official tweet by the Delhi Police in 2022, which warned about fraudsters using telecom logos (like MTNL) to trick users into sharing personal details under the pretext of a KYC update. The police urged customers to avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown apps.
Additionally, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) issued a warning about the same fraudulent message. The PIB confirmed that BSNL never sends such notices and advised customers not to share personal or bank details with anyone claiming to be from the telecom company.
BSNL’s Previous Clarifications
This is not the first time such fake messages have gone viral. In 2021, BSNL publicly denied any involvement in such messages and confirmed that they were phishing scams. The company advised users to ignore such notices and never share KYC data, personal information, or banking details with unknown sources.
The viral claim stating that BSNL customers’ SIM KYC has been suspended and that their SIM cards will be deactivated within 24 hours is completely false. This message is a fraudulent attempt to steal sensitive information. Users are advised to stay vigilant, ignore such messages, and verify any official communication directly with BSNL.
