ATMs Closed For Next 2-3 Days? PIB Fact Checks News

A misleading ATM closed news is taking rounds on WhatsApp amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan in the last few days. The message claims that ‘ATMs will be closed for the next 2-3 days probably, due to ransomeware cyber-attack among war of Pakistan’. However, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-check unit debunked the claim. It confirmed that such messages are fake, the claim is false, and should not be trusted. It read, “ATMs will continue to operate as usual’. There is no advisory or notification regarding the closing of ATMs.

Several banks have also posted messages on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to confirm that these messages are false. ATMs and digital banking services are functioning properly.

On May 9, 2025, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also asked banks to be vigilant while addressing the banks’ and insurance companies’ chief executive officers (CEOs) during a meeting about cyber security preparedness. She asked banks to take all necessary steps to continue providing ‘uninterrupted services to customers’. She emphasised staying vigilant and updating and testing all emergency protocols for any contingency situation, according to a report by PTI.

The minister asked banks to continue running the banking and financial system without interruption and instructed them to designate two senior officials to report on their operational and cyber-related matters to the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and other relevant government agencies.

State Bank of India (SBI) posted on X, to clarify that there is no closure of ATMs: "All our ATMs, CDMs/ADWMs and digital services are fully operational and available for public use. Please do not rely on unverified information."

It provides the contact numbers for any query or clarification. One can contact these numbers: 18001234, 18002100, 1800112211, 18004253800.

Similarly, other banks, including Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and Punjab & Sind Bank also posted, confirming the smooth functioning of ATMs.

Bank of Baroda also posted on X, on May 9: “Bank of Baroda’s ATMs and other digital channels are operational and functioning normally across the country’ Your banking experience remains uninterrupted.”

So, if you receive a message that your Bank ATM will be closed for the next few days or there will be no cash, don’t fall for these messages, don’t run for cash in panic, and, more importantly, don’t forward such messages.