Bhagalpur Banks Launch Comprehensive Cyber Fraud Awareness Initiative
As part of the Reserve Bank of India's nationwide campaign to combat cyber fraud, financial institutions in Bhagalpur have rolled out extensive outreach programs specifically targeting vulnerable demographic groups including senior citizens, women, and students. This strategic initiative aims to address the growing threat of digital financial crimes through education and awareness-building measures.
Special Focus on Senior Citizens' Cyber Safety
Several banks in the region have launched specialized programs dedicated to educating senior citizens, who are considered among the most susceptible to cybercrimes. The Cyber Fraud and Safety Awareness Programme (CFSAP) for senior citizens is designed to highlight various types of digital frauds, explain the importance of cyber laws in combating these crimes, and prepare elderly individuals to prevent such incidents effectively.
A senior bank official emphasized on Friday that the program aims to empower senior citizens rather than frighten them. "The cyber criminals often exploit the fear psychology of their victims," the official noted, urging elderly citizens to remain vigilant without exhibiting fear. The official stressed the importance of immediate reporting to banking institutions and police authorities when suspicious activities occur.
Addressing Specific Vulnerabilities
Sanjay Kumar Lath, General Secretary of the Indian Bank Officers Association (IBOA) for Bihar and Jharkhand, explained that the awareness programs focus on identifying and preventing common cybercrimes including:
- Phishing attacks and online banking frauds
- Identity theft and financial scams
- Social engineering tactics used by cybercriminals
Lath highlighted that senior citizens face particular vulnerability due to multiple factors including limited technical literacy, financial stability that makes them attractive targets, and increasing social media usage without adequate digital safety knowledge. "This creates an urgent need to safeguard our senior population through comprehensive awareness initiatives," he added.
Comprehensive Educational Approach
The CFSAP initiative incorporates multiple educational components designed to create lasting behavioral changes among participants:
- Developing financial literacy and responsible digital banking habits
- Promoting safe usage of digital banking tools and platforms
- Providing advisory on protecting sensitive personal financial information including OTPs, passwords, and UPI PINs
- Explaining grievance redressal mechanisms available to victims of cyber fraud
Alarming Statistics Highlight Urgency
DSP Cyber Cell Kanishk Srivastava revealed concerning statistics that underscore the necessity of these awareness programs. "In the current financial year alone, over Rs 2 crore has been cheated from just 11 senior citizens in Bhagalpur," he disclosed. This alarming figure represents only reported cases, suggesting the actual scale of cyber fraud might be substantially larger.
Srivastava called for sustained efforts from all banking and financial institutions to organize regular cyber fraud awareness and safety programs. "We need continuous dissemination of information about cybercrimes that have become increasingly prevalent in today's digital landscape," he emphasized, noting that cyber threats evolve constantly and require ongoing educational efforts.
The Bhagalpur initiative represents a localized implementation of RBI's broader national strategy to create a more secure digital banking environment. By focusing on the most vulnerable segments of society, banks aim to build a stronger defense against cybercriminals while promoting confidence in digital financial systems among all users.
