In response to the rising number of scam calls, the
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
(TRAI) has issued an advisory urging users to stay vigilant against fraudulent callers posing as officials. These scammers often claim to be from
TRAI
or other authoritative entities and attempt to extract sensitive personal information, often under the guise of billing issues, KYC updates, or threats to disconnect mobile services.
TRAI has noted a surge in pre-recorded calls that falsely claim to be from the regulatory body. These calls often intimidate recipients by threatening to block their mobile numbers unless they provide specific details. The regulator emphasises that it does not contact users directly regarding such matters and has not authorised any third parties to do so on its behalf.
According to the reports, TRAI's advisory, issued on Wednesday, clarifies that the organisation does not communicate with users regarding the disconnection of their mobile services. Any calls, messages, or notices claiming to be from TRAI with threats of disconnection should be viewed as potential fraud attempts. The responsibility for disconnecting mobile numbers due to issues like billing, KYC discrepancies, or abuse lies solely with the respective Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).
Victims of cybercrime are encouraged to report incidents through the official cybercrime helpline at 1930 or via the website https://cybercrime.gov.in/. The TRAI urges users to be proactive in safeguarding their personal information and to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities promptly.
TRAI fraud call scam unveiled
TRAI has noted a surge in pre-recorded calls that falsely claim to be from the regulatory body. These calls often intimidate recipients by threatening to block their mobile numbers unless they provide specific details. The regulator emphasises that it does not contact users directly regarding such matters and has not authorised any third parties to do so on its behalf.
TRAIâs official advisory
Steps to protect yourself from the fraudulent scams
- Stay cautious: Be vigilant and do not trust calls, messages, or notices claiming to be from TRAI or other official entities, especially if they ask for personal information or threaten to disconnect your mobile service.
- Verify suspicious communications: Always verify any suspicious communication by directly contacting the official customer support channels of your telecom provider.
- Use the Chakshu service: Report fraudulent activities using the Chakshu service on the Department of Telecommunications' Sanchar Saathi platform. This service helps combat the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial fraud.
- Be proactive: Take preventive measures to protect your personal information and stay informed about potential scams.
Reporting fraud
Victims of cybercrime are encouraged to report incidents through the official cybercrime helpline at 1930 or via the website https://cybercrime.gov.in/. The TRAI urges users to be proactive in safeguarding their personal information and to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities promptly.
