Mumbai: With increasing geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan, a wave of misinformation has flooded social media. Fake photos, videos, and misleading messages are being widely circulated. Among them, a viral WhatsApp forward falsely claimed that ATMs across India would be non-functional for two to three days due to the ongoing situation.
This misleading message triggered panic among some users, prompting urgent clarifications from official sources.
PIB Fact Check Declares Message Fake
India's official fact-checking agency, PIB Fact Check, took to social media to bust the fake news. In a tweet, the agency confirmed that the claim about a nationwide ATM shutdown is completely false. PIB urged the public to ignore such messages and refrain from forwarding them further.
They emphasized that misinformation on popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp is a recurring issue and warned users to always verify the authenticity of any message before believing or sharing it.
SBI’s Official Statement
Following the viral message, the State Bank of India (SBI) also issued a public statement to reassure citizens. SBI stated that:
“All our ATMs, CDM/ADWM machines, and digital services are fully operational and available for public use. Please do not trust unverified information.”
SBI further encouraged customers to contact their nearest branch or use their toll-free numbers for any queries. This response was aimed at curbing unnecessary panic and ensuring continued trust in banking services during tense times.
Public Urged to Stay Alert
Both PIB and SBI have emphasized the importance of relying only on official channels for accurate news. The incident underscores the need for increased public awareness regarding fake forwards, especially during sensitive periods.
