Why is Airtel asking customers to open a second account?

Airtel recommends a second account with Airtel Payments Bank to isolate transactions and protect primary savings from potential cyber fraud.

How can Airtel Payments Bank help prevent financial fraud?

By using a low-balance payments bank account for daily transactions, customers reduce the risk of losing large sums from their main savings account.

What new safety features has Airtel launched for customers?

Airtel has introduced AI-driven alerts for spam calls and messages, plus a service that blocks fraudulent links even if mistakenly clicked.

Home / Business and Economy / Airtel CEO's Bold Move: Second Account for Fraud Protection

Airtel CEO's Bold Move: Second Account for Fraud Protection

27 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Airtel urges customers to use a second payments bank account.
This aims to shield primary savings accounts from fraud.
New AI alerts block spam calls and fraudulent links.

Airtel CEO's Bold Move: Second Account for Fraud Protection

Bharti Airtel's vice-chairman and managing director, Gopal Vittal, has initiated a proactive measure to protect its vast customer base from escalating digital fraud. He is urging over 390 million customers to establish a secondary account with Airtel Payments Bank, suggesting it as a secure alternative for digital transactions. This strategy aims to insulate primary savings accounts, which typically hold significant funds and are frequently linked to payment apps and UPI handles, from potential financial cybercrimes.

Vittal explained that the Airtel Payments Bank model is designed for payments, requiring only small balances and offering interest on deposits. By channeling transactions through this secondary account, customers minimize the risk of losing substantial savings even if they fall victim to a scam or make an error. This advice comes at a critical juncture, with digital users facing an increasing barrage of ingenious scams, fake alerts, and fraudulent enticements.