SEBI and NSDL are launching an autorickshaw awareness campaign to promote investor verification

In a bid to strengthen investor awareness and reduce cases of digital payment-related fraud, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), in collaboration with the National Securities Depository Limited, has launched a multi-city public outreach campaign using autorickshaws as mobile awareness platforms. The campaign encourages investors to do a “SEBI check” before making any payment related to the securities market. It focuses on verifying UPI IDs, banking details and the login details of registered intermediaries before transferring money. The campaign is based on a phrase often used by commuters, “Meter toh check kiya”, and tailors the sentiment to investor behavior through the message: “Par kya aapne SEBI Check kiya?” The goal is to strengthen verification as a routine and instinctive step, similar to checking the fare before embarking on a ride.

As part of the initiative, more than 1,000 autorickshaws have been branded in cities including Mumbai, Surat, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Coimbatore, Indore, Patna, Delhi, Lucknow and Pune. The cities have been selected to ensure greater geographic reach and engagement in both metro and non-metro locations.

Each branded auto rickshaw carries prominently placed QR codes that allow commuters and pedestrians to directly access the SEBI Check portal, SEBI Saathi App and SEBI Investor website. These platforms allow investors to verify whether an intermediary is registered with SEBI and access authentic investor education resources.

By integrating investor awareness into a widely used form of urban transport, the campaign seeks to take the regulatory message beyond traditional digital and print channels. The on-the-ground visibility aims to embed financial vigilance into everyday life, especially among retail investors who may be vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.

The auto-rickshaw activation is part of a broader investor protection initiative by SEBI and NSDL, aimed at promoting safer participation in the securities market, strengthening confidence and encouraging informed decision-making among investors.