New Delhi is buzzing with a critical warning from Indian Railways aimed straight at its pensioners. In a move to combat rising cyber scams, the railway ministry has issued a stern advisory, urging retirees to stay vigilant against fraudsters impersonating officials.
The alert highlights a disturbing trend: cybercriminals are making fake calls and sending SMS or WhatsApp messages pretending to be railway authorities. They demand sensitive personal and financial details under pretexts like PPO updates, KYC verification, or additional pension benefits. The ministry clarifies that no legitimate railway officer will ever request such information via phone, social media, or messaging apps.
‘Railways does not send links or messages for PPO or service record updates,’ the official statement emphasizes. Pensioners are advised to report any suspicious contact immediately to the police cyber cell and relevant administrative offices. The call to action extends to families, encouraging them to spread awareness.
This isn’t just talk. Railways has ramped up its anti-fraud measures significantly. During a recent parliamentary session, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that in 2025 alone, 3.03 crore suspicious user IDs were deactivated from train ticket bookings, thanks to Aadhaar-based authentication and multi-layered cyber defenses. This ensured smooth access for genuine passengers.
The minister also disclosed that over six months ending December 2025, the e-ticketing system blocked 6,043 crore malicious bot requests. The National Cyber Crime Portal logged 376 complaints from 3.99 lakh suspicious bookings, while 12,819 dubious email domains were shut down. To curb tatkal ticket misuse, Aadhaar-linked OTP verification for online tatkal bookings has been introduced, promoting fairness.
As cyber threats evolve, this alert serves as a timely reminder for pensioners to safeguard their information. Railways continues its relentless fight against digital deception, blending technology with public cooperation for a secure travel ecosystem.