New Delhi: The government on Sunday dismissed as "untrue" a viral WhatsApp message that claimed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had directed banks to stop dispensing ₹500 notes through ATMs by September 30.

The fake message also alleged that 90% of ATMs would stop issuing ₹500 notes by March 31, 2026, and 75% by September 30 this year. It further urged people to "liquidate" their ₹500 notes, suggesting that only ₹100 and ₹200 denominations would be available through ATMs in the future.

The government has clarified that no such instruction has been issued by the RBI.

In a post on X, Press Information Bureau's Fact Check unit clarified that the report is untrue and advised people not to believe such false information.

"Has RBI asked banks to stop disbursing Rs 500 notes from ATMs by September 2025? A message falsely claiming exactly this is spreading on #WhatsApp. #PIBFactCheck, No such instruction has been issued by the @RBI, Rs 500 notes will continue to be legal tender," the post said.

"Don’t fall for such misinformation. Always verify news from official sources before believing or sharing it!" it added.

The government have stressed the need for caution when dealing with unverified information related to currency. Citizens are urged not to circulate or act on such messages and instead rely on credible sources, such as the Reserve Bank of India’s official statements or the Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking handle, for accurate updates. IANS