Bharti Airtel’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Gopal Vittal, has issued a public advisory urging customers to adopt safer digital payment habits as cases of online fraud continue to escalate across India.
In a letter addressed to Airtel subscribers, Vittal warned that scammers are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics, including fake parcel delivery alerts, fraudulent prize links and even fabricated “digital arrest” threats. “Any crime or fraud on our network pains us all at Airtel,” he said, emphasizing the growing risk faced by mobile users.
Airtel has rolled out multiple security measures—such as AI-driven spam detection and automated blocking of malicious links—becoming the first telecom operator globally to offer such advanced protections. Despite these efforts, Vittal noted that fraudsters continue to find ways to exploit users’ vulnerabilities, especially when primary bank accounts are linked directly to digital payment apps.
“A small mistake can therefore put your entire savings at risk,” he cautioned.
To mitigate this risk, Vittal recommended that customers use Airtel Payments Bank as a secondary account dedicated to everyday transactions. He explained that keeping only small working balances in this account—rather than exposing an entire savings account—can significantly reduce potential financial losses in case of fraud. The Airtel Payments Bank account also earns interest and does not offer lending services, reducing the likelihood of credit-related misuse.
Opening an account, he said, is a quick three-step process available through the Airtel Thanks app, including KYC verification using Aadhaar and PAN. Customers can add money via transfers from their primary bank accounts or by depositing cash at Airtel Payments Bank retail outlets.
Vittal concluded by encouraging users nationwide to strengthen their financial safety practices as India’s digital economy continues to expand.
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