The government has issued a vital advisory to telecom users against fraud calls from unknown international numbers. Cyber fraudsters, according to reports, have been posing as the officials of the government in an attempt to deceive naive persons. The DoT reiterated that international calls are recognizable and asked telecom operators to make it clearly visible to consumers that the calls originate outside India.
To combat this growing threat, the DoT launched the ‘International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System’ on October 22. Within just 24 hours of its launch, telecom providers blocked approximately 1.35 crore phone numbers involved in fraudulent activities. Despite this effort, cybercriminals have adapted their tactics, now relying solely on international numbers to perpetrate scams.
The advisory specifically warns people against calls starting with country codes similar to +8, +85, and +65. DoT stressed caution so that people exercise it and did not engage or interact with them unless authenticated.
The advisory asks 'Chakshu' on the Sanchar Saathi portal to immediately report complaints of any suspicious call. Also, a task force has been constituted and orders have been passed by this task force wherein they have instructed to telecom operators to mark it clearly 'International Call', so subscribers are alerted.
However, some other telecom companies are required to consider technical possibility into such initiatives. Similarly, awareness campaigns would tell how users that all governmental authority officials, be it officers from TRAI or policeman or income tax departments etc, do not ring internationally.
Key Take Awaits for Telecom Consumers:
The Centre's initiatives actively take steps to prevent fraud towards telecom users as well as minimize risks and exposure relating to international calling scams. This way, staying vigilant and informed protects a person from falling victim to those schemes.
