COVID-19: Beware Of Fake UPI IDs While Donating To PM-CARES Fund

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the cybersecurity watchdog under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, has asked people to be aware of fake UPI IDs that are similar to that of PM-CARES Fund.

Fraudsters have created UPI IDs of popular Indian banks including PNB, HDFC Bank, SBI, ICICI Bank and Yes Bank, to mislead people, while the genuine ID is with SBI.

"CERT-In has received several reports about fake UPI IDs, which are similar to the UPI ID used by the 'Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund," it said.

The cybersecurity watchdog said that pmcares@pnb, pmcares@hdfcbank, pmcare@yesbank, pmcare@ybl, pmcare@upi, pmcare@sbi and pmcare@icici are fake ids.

"It may be noted that the genuine UPI Id is "pmcares@sbi" and registered account name is "PM CARES". It is advised that citizens may verify the UPI ID and registered name before making any donations," CERT-In said.

The PM-CARES (Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund was announced by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on 28 March with the objective to deal with emergencies or distress posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

How can you donate to the PM-CARES Fund?

One can go to www.pmindia.gov.in website and donate to PM CARES Fund via

• Debit Cards and Credit Cards
• Internet Banking
• UPI (BHIM, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayTM, Mobikwik, etc.)
• RTGS/NEFT

Details on the Fund:

• Name of the Account: PM CARES
• Account Number: 2121PM20202
• IFSC Code: SBIN0000691
• SWIFT Code: SBININBB104
• Name of Bank & Branch: State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch
• UPI ID: pmcares@sbi