India-Pakistan tension: Is your nearby ATM closed due to cyber attack ?
India-Pakistan tension: Is your nearby ATM closed due to cyber attack ?
PIB and SBI confirm that ATMs and digital banking services remain fully operational; citizens urged not to fall for fake messages.
Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, a viral WhatsApp message falsely claiming the closure of ATMs due to a ransomware cyberattack has caused panic among citizens. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued a clarification debunking the claim and confirming that ATMs across India are fully functional.
The message, which has been widely circulated on WhatsApp, warned users not to conduct online transactions and claimed that ATMs would remain shut for 2–3 days due to an impending cyber threat. It also warned about a supposed dangerous video titled “Dance of the Hillary” that could allegedly corrupt mobile devices.
However, PIB, through its official handle on X (formerly Twitter), labeled the message as fake. “The claim that ATMs will remain closed for 2–3 days due to a cyberattack is false. ATMs are functioning normally,” the post stated.
Echoing PIB’s clarification, the State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, confirmed that all its ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs), and digital operations are operating without disruption.
Authorities have noted a rise in misinformation across social media platforms in recent days, largely driven by the escalating geopolitical situation. In response, the Government of India has urged citizens to rely only on verified sources and avoid spreading unverified messages that may trigger public panic.
In a related development, Indian Oil Corporation Limited also took to X to reassure the public, confirming that there is no shortage of fuel or LPG in the country and that supply lines are running smoothly.
