Hackers are luring mobile users into a new scam these days. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a new advisory warning mobile users against scam calls. Under this new scam, calls received on a user’s phone are disguised as international calls, even though the numbers begin with the +91 country code, just like Indian numbers. The government has advised users to be cautious of such calls and avoid sharing personal or financial information on these types of calls.
The +91 code is also visible on international calls.
DoT has posted a post from its official account. In the post, it has issued an advisory for mobile users. According to this advisory, every mobile call has a control code. Genuine international calls always have the country code of the country from which the call is coming. The government has also clarified that if a call claims to be international but still has a +91 code, report it immediately. This warning comes at a time when cases of telecom-related cyber fraud are rapidly increasing across the country.
The DoT stated that scammers are using Caller ID Spoofing techniques to change the number displayed on users’ phones. Cybercriminals often claim to be telecom officials, police officers, bank representatives, or customer support executives in order to pressure people into revealing information such as OTPs and ATM PINs.
Officials stated that these calls are intended to create panic among users. Victims are often threatened with SIM card deactivation, false legal action, parcel delivery issues, or outstanding bills. In many cases, scammers attempt to obtain OTPs, passwords, banking information, or Aadhaar-related details.
The Department of Telecommunications has advised citizens not to respond to suspicious calls and not to click on unknown links shared during such conversations.
Don’t call back from unknown numbers – Users have also been advised not to return missed calls from unknown, international-looking numbers.
To combat the growing threat, the government has asked users to report unknown calls through the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ platform.
Cybersecurity experts believe that it is important to spread awareness against telecom fraud.