New Airtel Feature Warns Users Against Sharing Banking OTPs During Suspicious Calls
Recently, there has been an increase in cases of digital arrests and other types of online fraud. To prevent such activities, Airtel launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered one-time-password fraud-detection feature on Wednesday (February 11). Let's learn more about it.
Airtel, the second-largest telecom service provider (TSP) in India, launched its network-based AI spam detection service for voice calls and SMS in September 2024. Subsequently, Airtel launched its AI-powered fraud detection service for emails and WhatsApp in May 2025. Now, Airtel has launched its new fraud alert system to prevent bank scams using leaked one-time passwords (OTPs). Through AI technology, the alert system will detect "potentially risky situations" to alert users. This comes at a time when digital arrests, fraud, and scams are on the rise. It is reported that the Supreme Court recently made a comment that Indians lost around Rs 54,000 crore to digital arrest scams.
The company announced on Wednesday that it is launching a fraud alert system to caution users against bank scams via one-time passwords. This function is already live in Haryana. However, the company plans to roll out fraud alerts to all Airtel users nationwide within the next two weeks.
When a user receives an OTP via SMS, this function will use AI to identify incoming risky calls. The company claims to offer real-time fraud protection on its network. This will send an alert to customers, warning them about the risk of approving banking transaction OTPs while on a call.
The company stated that scammers often exploit the "urgency associated with OTPs for day-to-day services," including delivery services. Fraudsters then trick users into sharing their banking transaction OTPs, leaving their account savings vulnerable to fraud.
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Fraud Alert is the latest addition to the company's suite of scam and spam protection features. In September 2024, Airtel launched an AI-powered spam detection feature for calls and SMS, which was later expanded to include Indian regional languages in April 2025.
Similarly, in May 2025, Airtel introduced a fraud detection solution for OTT apps and social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. The company uses AI to identify fraudulent links and websites and blocks access if they are flagged as a potential risk.
This comes amid growing concerns about rising cases of digital arrests and telephonic scams. Mint reports that the Supreme Court recently said that Indians have lost over Rs 54,000 crore to digital fraud, during which victims are forced to share their banking details and OTP, or transfer money to the fraudster's account.
