Amid a surge in digital fraud cases, Airtel Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Gopal Vittal has urged customers to use Airtel Payments Bank for online transactions instead of their primary bank accounts.
In a letter to users, Vittal highlighted that cybercriminals are increasingly using fake parcel delivery notifications, fraudulent reward links, and threats of digital arrest to trick people into exposing their funds. He emphasized that using a main bank account for all online payments can put entire savings at risk.
“To avoid major losses from such scams, we recommend keeping only a small amount in Airtel Payments Bank for routine transactions. Unlike traditional banks, we don’t lend, so there’s no need for large balances,” Vittal said. “Even this small amount earns interest. This way, if a scam occurs, your hard-earned money remains protected.”
Government data indicates that cybersecurity incidents in India rose from 1.3 million in 2022 to 2.27 million in 2024, with cyber frauds totaling ₹3.6 million reported on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal by February 2025.
Airtel reported that its anti-fraud initiatives have reduced financial losses on its network by 68.7% and overall cybercrime incidents by 14.3% in the past year. Its AI-powered network solutions have blocked around 320,000 fraudulent links and identified over 48.3 billion spam calls.
Airtel Payments Bank Q2 FY26 Performance
Airtel Payments Bank posted a profit of ₹11.8 crore for Q2 FY26, a slight increase from the same period last year. Revenue grew 19.4% year-on-year to ₹804 crore, reflecting strong growth momentum. The bank’s annualized Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) reached ₹4,56,000 crore, driven by the adoption of its Safe Second Account, merchant services, and other offerings.
Vittal’s advice reflects a broader push for safer online payment practices, ensuring that users can navigate digital transactions without risking their core savings.