To strengthen defenses against growing cyber frauds, the Reserve Bank of India has directed all banks to integrate the Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) technology. Developed by DoT and launched in May 2025, FRI enables automated, real-time data exchange between banks and the DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform, helping detect and prevent fraudulent activity.
FRI assigns risk levels—Medium, High, or Very High—to mobile numbers based on inputs from national cybercrime platforms, the Chakshu reporting portal, and intelligence from financial institutions. This allows banks, NBFCs, and UPI providers to prioritize enforcement actions and implement preventive measures such as flagging or delaying transactions, issuing alerts, and proactively warning customers about suspicious contacts.
Already in use by leading players like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, PhonePe, and Paytm, FRI is proving to be a game-changer in bridging telecom and finance. Experts believe it will enhance real-time risk scoring, build trust, and set a global benchmark in collaborative cyber fraud defense. As UPI becomes India's dominant payment method, this integrated approach is expected to strengthen digital trust and safeguard millions of citizens.
DoT emphasized that this step aligns with the broader Digital India vision and reflects a shift toward systemic resilience through smart, data-driven security. With support from RBI-regulated entities, the initiative marks a transformative moment in India’s cyber risk landscape.
FRI assigns risk levels—Medium, High, or Very High—to mobile numbers based on inputs from national cybercrime platforms, the Chakshu reporting portal, and intelligence from financial institutions. This allows banks, NBFCs, and UPI providers to prioritize enforcement actions and implement preventive measures such as flagging or delaying transactions, issuing alerts, and proactively warning customers about suspicious contacts.
Already in use by leading players like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, PhonePe, and Paytm, FRI is proving to be a game-changer in bridging telecom and finance. Experts believe it will enhance real-time risk scoring, build trust, and set a global benchmark in collaborative cyber fraud defense. As UPI becomes India's dominant payment method, this integrated approach is expected to strengthen digital trust and safeguard millions of citizens.
DoT emphasized that this step aligns with the broader Digital India vision and reflects a shift toward systemic resilience through smart, data-driven security. With support from RBI-regulated entities, the initiative marks a transformative moment in India’s cyber risk landscape.
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