24 | February | 2013 | Impressions

It happened again. Today too I received the following SMS message on my mobile:

Indian Bank – Weekend Info: Balance in your a/c XXXXXX0216 as on 09/02/2013: Total Bal. RS.14035 CR, Clear Bal
Sender: LM-INDBANK
Message Centre:
+919821900043
Sent: 10-Feb-2013 11:09:53

Now like clockwork I have received the above SMS message for the third consecutive Sunday.

Indian Bank – Weekend Info: Balance in your a/c XXXXXX0216 as on 16/02/2013: Total Bal. RS.14035 CR, Clear Bal
Sender: VM-INDBANK
Message Centre:
+919820405560
Sent: 17-Feb-2013 11:23:17

Indian Bank – Weekend Info: Balance in your a/c XXXXXX0216 as on 23/02/2013: Total Bal. RS.14035 CR, Clear Bal
Sender: VM-INDBANK
Message Centre:
+919820405560
Sent: 24-Feb-2013 10:23:08

I do not have any type of account in any branches of the Indian Bank.

I purchased a brand new SIM card from Vodafone only on February 7, 2013.

The sender has piqued my curiosity and I wonder whether the letters ‘CR; in the phrase “Total Bal. RS.14035 CR” mean ‘Credit’ or ‘Crore’ (10 million).

Any comments?

February 25, 2013

Today (Monday) I received the following message:

Your A/c No XXXX30216 is not operated for last 2 years. Please visit our branch and do transaction. Please co-operate & get uninterrupted service – Indian Bank
Sender: VM-INDBANK
Message Centre:
+919820405560
Sent: 25-Feb-2013 11:41:12

When I dialed the number 9820405560, the recorded message said: “You seem to have dialed the wrong number. Please check the number you have dialed,” followed by the text message “Number not in use.” So, I dialed 9821900043 the phone number found on the first message I received on February 9, 2013. This number too is a dud.

My sixth sense tells me this might be the early stages of blossoming of an elaborate scam.

.
February 28, 2013

Today I received a different message – ‘a security Alert’ purported to be from Indian Bank:

Security Alert: Don’t leave your Credit/Debit Card with anyone. Maintain secrecy of your User-Id & password; don’t disclose to anyone. Don’t click on links given in emails asking for above details.— Indian Bank
Sender: VM-INDBANK
Message Centre:
+919820405560
Sent: 28-Feb-2013 11:29:59

March 3, 2013

Today too I received the recurring message:

Indian Bank – Weekend Info: Balance in your a/c XXXXXX0216 as on 02/03/2013: Total Bal. RS.14035 CR, Clear Bal
Sender: LM-INDBANK
Message Centre:
+919820405560
Sent: 3-Mar-2013 06:53:05

Today too I dialed the number 9820405560 and heard a different recorded message: “Your call could not be completed.”

seldomblogger, a fellow blogger commented:

“Wow…yes it seems so..glad you found out..looks to be a phishing attempt or could be worse“

I agree completely with her observation.

Any comments?