The State Bank of India (SBI) has warned customers about a ‘jumped deposit’ scam in which fraudsters allegedly exploit unexpected bank credits to trick account holders into authorising high-value payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

In a post on X on October 10, 2026, as part of its National Cyber Security Month Special Campaign 6.0, SBI urged customers to remain alert if an unknown person claims to have transferred money to their account by mistake and asks for an immediate refund.

The scam typically begins with an unexpected credit from an unknown source. Fraudsters then use urgency, persuasion or emotional pressure to convince the recipient to act without properly verifying the transaction.

How Does the ‘Jumped Deposit’ Scam Work?

In this type of fraud, scammers allegedly transfer a small amount into a victim’s bank account and then claim that the money was sent accidentally. They contact the recipient and request an immediate refund, attempting to gain their trust and encourage a quick response.

The actual trap involves persuading the victim to approve a high-value UPI payment request. If the account holder authorises the request without checking its details, the money can be transferred to the fraudster.

SBI has cautioned customers against emotional blackmail, manipulative tactics and urgent UPI payment requests that have not been independently verified.

An unexpected credit does not mean you should approve a payment request or follow instructions from an unknown caller.

How Can Bank Customers Protect Themselves?

SBI has advised customers to block suspicious phone numbers and report suspected fraud to their bank promptly. Customers should also verify unexpected credits through official banking channels rather than rushing to return the money.

Here are some important precautions:

• Verify unexpected credits: Check the transaction details through your bank’s official app, website or customer service.
• Do not approve unknown UPI requests: Carefully check the amount and recipient before authorising any payment.
• Avoid pressure tactics: Do not act immediately because a caller claims the matter is urgent or uses emotional pressure.
• Block and report suspicious numbers: Inform your bank if you receive suspicious calls or payment requests.
• Never share confidential information: Do not disclose your UPI PIN, OTP or banking passwords to anyone.
• Report suspected cyber fraud quickly: In India, call the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or report the incident through the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

What Did SBI Say About Calls Starting With 1600?

In its advisory, SBI also asked customers to respond to calls prefixed with 1600, describing them as genuine and secure bank calls.

However, customers should remain cautious and verify the caller’s identity and the purpose of any request. They should never share their UPI PIN, OTP or other confidential banking information or approve a payment simply because a caller claims to represent a bank.

SBI’s Warning on X

In its October 10 post, SBI highlighted the risk of unexpected deposits and warned customers that scammers could use small, seemingly harmless transfers to gain their trust before attempting to obtain approval for larger payments.

The bank urged customers to block suspicious numbers and report such incidents to their banks without delay. It also warned against falling for emotional pressure or urgent UPI requests without verification.

The post was shared as part of the bank’s National Cyber Security Month Special Campaign 6.0.

Key Takeaways for Bank Account Holders

The main lesson is to stay calm and verify every unexpected transaction independently. Never approve an unfamiliar UPI payment request under pressure, even if someone claims to have transferred money to your account by mistake.

If you receive an unexpected credit, contact your bank through its official channels for guidance on handling the transaction safely. If you suspect that you have been targeted by fraud, report it immediately.

Staying alert, checking transaction details and refusing to act under pressure can help protect your bank account from UPI fraud.