SBI Card urges vigilance as digital spending rises

Srinagar, Nov 16: India’s financial ecosystem is undergoing a major shift as consumers increasingly rely on digital payment methods—from UPI and card payments to e-commerce platforms and organised retail. Whether shopping for jewellery, upgrading lifestyle products, planning travel or purchasing electronic gadgets, customers today actively seek the best deals across online and offline channels.

A statement said that the growing preference for digital-first experiences and instant transactions continues to shape spending behaviour. E-commerce remains the dominant contributor to overall credit card usage, accounting for 66.4 percent of total credit card spends in September 2025, according to ET BFSI. With this rapid expansion of digital payments, SBI Card, India’s largest pure-play credit card issuer, has urged customers to remain alert while transacting online and to prioritise safety during International Fraud Awareness Week.

In its advisory, SBI Card stressed the need to shop only on trusted and official brand websites or widely recognised marketplaces. It warned consumers against clicking on random links shared through social media or messaging apps, noting that fraudulent pages remain a common entry point for digital scams.

The statement advised customers to refrain from sharing their device screens with unknown individuals and to avoid downloading unverified third-party applications or APK files that could provide scammers access to personal or financial information. It cautioned users to be wary of unrealistic discounts, misleading refund messages, and offers on high-value products, urging them to verify deals directly with the respective brands.