People have often reported receiving calls from Telecom Authority of India (TRAI). These calls are often scam calls and scammers take the social engineering approach to create panic among users by making them believe that they have multiple phone numbers registered under their name that are being used to run some fraudulent activities and the numbers will be turned off if they don’t follow their instructions.
In this guide, we will tell you all about Telecom scams and also things you need to keep in mind in order to stay safe and protected.
Telecom Authority of India scam: How it works
Before diving deeper into the functioning of the scam, you’ll have to know the numbers from which you will usually receive such calls. So, phone numbers starting with +67 and +68. But, keep in mind that scammers evolve and you might get calls from phone numbers other than the one mentioned above.
How it starts
First, you’ll receive a call claiming to be from the Telecom Authority of India. There will be a pre-recorded message mentioning that your phone number has been used for fraudulent activities and it will be turned off if you don’t take immediate action. Soon after that, you get prompted to press ‘9’ for customer care support to resolve the issue.
Once you press ‘9’, a customer care representative (scammer) picks up the calls and talks to you about how you have multiple numbers registered in your name with incomplete KYC and how they are being used for fraudulent activities.
The scammers create a panic situation by pretending to keep you in digital arrest and saying that all your phone numbers will be closed as a part of the standard procedure.
Once you agree to cooperate, they will ask for some personal information to complete the KYC. This is where the scam happens. Once you share the personal details, they can use it the way they want to.
TRAI’s official advisory
Earlier this year, TRAI warned users about such scams and issued an official statement too. In the warning, TRAI has confirmed that the organisation does not communicate with users directly about disconnecting their phone numbers or mobile services. Any such calls, messages and notices are supposed to be a fraudulent attempt.
How to overcome the fear of such calls
First things first, the government has a way of telling you all the phone numbers registered in your name. Head to “https://tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in/telecomUser/”and enter your phone number. This will tell you all the phone numbers registered in your name.
Using this, you can know if there are any phone numbers running in your name without your knowledge and then take necessary actions with the help of official customer support of the telecom operator.
How to stay protected from ‘TRAI’ scams
Stay alert: Be cautious and avoid trusting calls, messages, or notices claiming to be from TRAI or other official agencies, especially if they request personal details or threaten to suspend your mobile service.
Confirm authenticity: Verify any doubtful communication by reaching out directly to your telecom provider’s official customer service.
Leverage the Chakshu service: Report fraudulent activities through the Chakshu service on the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi platform, designed to address the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial fraud.
Be prepared: Take proactive steps to safeguard your personal information and stay updated about potential scams.
Report scams
You can dial 1930 or visit “https://cybercrime.gov.in/” and register an official complaint with all the necessary details.
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