Unsure About That Bank Call? DoT Launches New Portal to Verify Contact Numbers Instantly

With digital scams on the rise, distinguishing genuine bank calls from fraudulent ones has become increasingly difficult. To tackle this growing issue, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has rolled out a new verification system under the Sanchar Saathi portal , enabling citizens to confirm if a call, email, or website truly belongs to a legitimate financial institution.

A Step Towards Safer Digital Communication

Over the years, thousands have fallen prey to fraudsters posing as bank representatives. These scam calls often employ fear tactics - such as threats to block accounts or suspend services - to trick victims into sharing sensitive details. Until now, there wasn’t an easy way for users to verify whether a contact number or message was genuine.

The DoT’s new verification portal bridges this gap, giving citizens a secure and reliable way to confirm the authenticity of communications received from banks and other financial institutions.

How the DoT Verification Portal Works

The newly launched bank contact verification portal is integrated into the Sanchar Saathi platform. Users can visit the portal and search for details using:

• Bank or financial institution name
• Website URL
• Email address
• Phone number

Once the search is submitted, the system displays all verified information related to the institution, such as:

• Official website
• Customer care email ID
• Toll-free numbers
• WhatsApp contact details
• Other verified support channels

This allows users to quickly check if a bank call or message is legitimate before sharing any personal or financial information.

Empowering Citizens to Stay Scam-Free

To promote this initiative, the DoT took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), urging citizens to verify suspicious communications through the new system. The post read:

“Empowering Citizens with Safe Digital Choices! Think before you share - scammers often pretend to be from trusted institutions. Always verify using trusted contact on #SancharSaathi before you act. For verification click here: Sanchar Saathi Financial Institutions Portal.”



By providing this verification tool, the government aims to create a safer digital ecosystem, reducing the success rate of phishing and vishing scams in India.

Current Limitations of the Portal

While the DoT verification portal is a much-needed step in the right direction, it’s not yet perfect.

• Several entries, especially from private banks like ICICI Bank, lack complete details such as WhatsApp and toll-free numbers.
• Searches for major financial regulators like RBI and SEBI currently yield no results.

This highlights that the database still requires expansion and updates to ensure comprehensive coverage of all major financial institutions in India.

Why This Initiative Matters

Cyber frauds targeting bank customers have surged in recent years, with scammers using more sophisticated tactics. A central verification system for bank numbers and emails empowers users to make informed decisions before responding to unsolicited messages or calls.

With more institutions expected to be added soon, the DoT’s Sanchar Saathi portal could become a vital resource in India’s fight against digital banking scams.

The DoT’s new verification portal marks a major step in protecting Indian citizens from fake bank calls and phishing attempts. Though still evolving, the system reinforces the message - always verify before you trust. By leveraging tools like Sanchar Saathi, users can take control of their digital safety and prevent falling victim to financial frauds.