Covid-19 lockdown: SBI customers can benefit from these services from home

State Bank of India, the country’s largest bank, has more than 44 crore customers, a number that is more than 1.3 times the entire population of the US. Obviously at any given point of time, a large number of customers are in dire need of crucial services such as blocking ATM/debit cards, regeneration of PIN, checking balance in accounts and a host of other services.

The bank is constantly saying on social media that customers can utilise many of its services from the comfort of their homes without stepping out or visiting a branch.

Account balance
Customers can check the account balance through IVRS and SMS. One can call toll free number 1800 112 211 or 1800 425 3800 and choose the preferred language.

Then press 1 to select ‘Account Details’. Then select account balance details and last 5 transactions. To confirm this you have to press ‘1’ again.

Then you have to key in the last 4 digits of the account number and press ‘1’. You can now hear the account balance and last 5 transaction details being read out to you by an automated voice.

SBI account-holders can also SMS “BAL” to 09223766666 from their registered mobile number for instant SBI Balance Enquiry.

For mini statement, account holders can SMS “MSTMT” to 09223866666.

ATM cards
Till date SBI has issued at least 30 crore debit cum ATM card to its customers. Out of this huge number, many lose their cards regularly. Once a card is lost/misplaced, most customers want to block it immediately and get on reissued.

SBI customers need to call SBI toll-free numbers 1800 112 211 or 1800 425 3800 from the mobile number registered with the bank.

This will lead to three options – blocking the card using the registered mobile number (RMN) and card number combination, or RMN and account number and blocking card through an agent.

If you select the first option, you will need to key in the last 5 digits of the card you want to block. You need to press 1 to confirm.

If you opt for the account number method, you have to key in the last 5 digits of the account number and then press 1 to confirm.

Replacement
Similarly, if you want to replace your card, then call any of the two toll free numbers.

You need to enter the year of your birth. You have keyed in the year correctly, press 1 to confirm, or press 2 to cancel.

You should keep the last 5 digits of your account number handy and key them in. Then press ‘1’ to confirm it.

Once you confirm, your card replacement request has been successfully sent. A confirmation message will also be sent to your registered mobile number.

The debit card will be sent to customer’s registered address.

Generate PIN
If you have a new debit card, it calls for a PIN. In this pandemic situation SBI offers its customers to generate PIN instantly from the house.

One can generate this green PIN through IVRS, mobile banking, SMS or phone banking. Cardholders can generate the PIN by sending an SMS from their registered mobile number.

The person has to send an SMS from the registered phone number to 567676. In the SMS body the customer should write ‘PIN last 4 digit of ATM card last 4 digit of the savings account’ i.e. ‘PIN XXXX YYYY’ to 567676.

Once the SMS is sent, the cardholder will receive an OTP on the registered mobile number. The OTP will be valid for 2 days.

The cardholder needs to use it to generate debit card PIN by visiting their nearest SBI ATM.

A customer can also call any of the toll-free numbers and follow some simple steps. For this one should keep the debit card number and the account number handy. Then the PIN will be generated instantly.

For the third option the customer may visit the official website of the bank and go to ATM card services. Then by using OTP or using profile password one can generate the PIN.

But the first two digits of ATM PIN is set by the customer and the last two digits will send by the bank itself.

The bank also has a customer care centre that is supposed to work round the clock.