Railway pensioners, be alert.
The Ministry of Railways has issued a warning about scammers targeting retired railway employees.
Fraudsters are making fake calls and sending SMS or WhatsApp messages, pretending to be Railway officials.
Their aim? To steal personal and banking details.
Here’s what you need to know.
Fake Calls in the Name of PPO and KYC
According to the ministry, cyber criminals are contacting pensioners claiming they need to:
Update Pension Payment Orders (PPO)
Verify KYC details
Provide additional pension benefits
Update service records
They ask for sensitive information like bank account numbers, OTPs, and passwords.
The government has made it clear:
Railways do not send links or messages for PPO updates.
No Railway official is authorised to ask for confidential information through phone calls, SMS, WhatsApp, or social media.
If you receive such a message, it is a scam.
Pensioners are advised to inform their family members as well, since scammers often target elderly individuals.
Any suspicious call or message should be reported immediately to the Police Cyber Cell and the concerned Railway office.
Strong Action Against Online Ticketing Fraud
At the same time, Indian Railways has taken major steps to tighten its digital security systems.
In 2025 alone:
3.03 crore suspicious user IDs were deactivated
6,043 crore malicious bot requests were blocked in six months
12,819 suspicious email domains were shut down
These measures have helped ensure smoother booking for genuine passengers.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that 376 complaints were filed on the National Cyber Crime Portal regarding nearly 3.99 lakh suspicious bookings.
Aadhaar Verification for Tatkal Tickets
To make Tatkal bookings fairer and prevent misuse, Aadhaar-based OTP verification has been introduced.
This system:
Confirms user identity instantly
Reduces fake bookings
Helps genuine users secure tickets
Additional cybersecurity measures have also been implemented to fix system vulnerabilities and strengthen protection against cyber attacks.
To improve performance, Indian Railways has introduced a Content Delivery Network (CDN), which reduces traffic load and ensures faster access to the ticket booking website.
What This Means for You
Cyber fraud is becoming more sophisticated.
The key rules are simple:
Never share OTPs or bank details
Do not click on suspicious links
Verify information only through official Railway channels
Whether you are a pensioner or a regular passenger, staying alert is your best protection.
The Railways are strengthening digital systems — but personal vigilance remains equally important.
