Tech: If you see S, P, G, or T written after an SMS, learn what they mean—it could save your bank balance..

Spam SMS Alert: Today, the smartphone has become an integral part of our lives. While it has brought immense convenience, it has also significantly heightened the risk of fraud. The moment we wake up in the morning, our phone's notification panel is flooded with countless messages—some being banking alerts, others being advertisements featuring enticing offers. Amidst this deluge of messages, distinguishing between genuine and fraudulent ones can be quite challenging. Often, in their haste, people inadvertently open a malicious message, thereby putting their bank accounts or personal data at risk.

To safeguard mobile users from scammers, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has established a regulation mandating that every commercial message must feature a specific suffix—either '-P', '-S', '-T', or '-G'—at the end of its Sender ID. These suffixes allow users to identify, even before opening a message, whether it is a relevant communication or merely an unsolicited advertisement. If you understand the significance of these four letters, you too can protect yourself from fraud.

First, let us discuss the letter 'P', which stands for 'Promotional'. If you receive a message where the Sender ID ends with a 'P', you can safely assume that it is merely an advertisement or a marketing message. For instance, if you see a header such as 'AD-Myntra-P', you can discern—without even opening the message—that it is simply a promotional alert.

The second significant category of messages is denoted by 'T'. This stands for 'Transactional'. These are considered the most sensitive types of messages. Messages containing One-Time Passwords (OTPs) from your bank, net banking alerts, notifications regarding deductions from your debit or credit cards, and similar communications typically feature a 'T' suffix—for example, 'AX-Axis-T' or 'HDFCBN-T'. Since these messages are directly linked to your financial transactions, reading them carefully and keeping them secure is absolutely crucial for your personal safety.

The final code is 'S', which signifies 'Service' messages; these provide you with information regarding specific updates or service-related notifications. The purpose of these messages is to remind you about a service or to send a reminder, such as the due date for your electricity or mobile bill payments. Additionally, flight ticket confirmations or status updates often feature the letter 'S' appended to them.

The fourth and most authoritative code is 'G,' which stands for 'Government.' Whenever a public notice, vaccination update, or disaster management warning is issued by the Central or State government, it is marked with a 'G' at the end. This code is reserved exclusively for use by registered government departments.

The easiest way to identify spam and fraudulent messages is to pay close attention to the format of the sender's mobile number. Banks, reputable companies, and government institutions invariably utilize a 6 or 8-character header in conjunction with these classification codes (S, P, G, T). If you receive a message from a standard 10-digit mobile number, exercise caution.

Never click on a link contained within a message received from an unknown number. These links often redirect users to phishing websites capable of gaining unauthorized access to your phone or stealing your banking credentials. Furthermore, never share your OTP (One-Time Password) with anyone—even if the caller claims to be a bank official speaking to you over the phone.

The most significant advantage of this alphabet-based coding system, introduced by TRAI, is that it saves you both precious time and effort. You no longer need to open and read every unsolicited promotional message. Moreover, it serves as a safeguard against fraud. Remember: your vigilance is your greatest ally.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.