Have you ever experienced receiving a call from someone claiming to be a ‘government official‘ or received a message from an unknown number requesting verification of your mobile number? Perhaps you’ve been asked to complete KYC by clicking on a specific URL or calling a number to avoid the disconnection of your mobile service. If so, you may have been targeted by a scam.The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued a warning regarding such incidents, and individuals who have encountered these fraudulent attempts can file a complaint.
The telecom regulator has sent a communication on mobile phones advising users to be aware of the potential fraudulent activities.
“TRAI never sends any message or makes any call for verification/ disconnection/ reporting unlawful activities of mobile numbers,” a message from TRAI reads.
“Beware of such messages/calls in the name of TRAI. “Any call or message claiming to be from TRAI should be considered potentially fraudulent,” the message added.
How scammers target users
Last year, Secretary of TRAI, V Raghunandan said that the regulator knew about these fraudsters who lied to users that their Aadhaar numbers were used for obtaining SIM cards and were being used for illegal activities.
Additionally, the fraudsters also try to trick the users into joining Skype video calls to avoid disconnection of mobile numbers, he added. The official also noted that TRAI has not authorized any agency to contact customers for such activities.
How to report such incidents
TRAI said that any such call or message claiming to be from TRAI is potentially fraudulent. Those users who have been affected by such calls or messages can report the incident to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in). Furthermore, the complaint can be registered by calling the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930).
The telecom regulator has sent a communication on mobile phones advising users to be aware of the potential fraudulent activities.
“TRAI never sends any message or makes any call for verification/ disconnection/ reporting unlawful activities of mobile numbers,” a message from TRAI reads.
“Beware of such messages/calls in the name of TRAI. “Any call or message claiming to be from TRAI should be considered potentially fraudulent,” the message added.
How scammers target users
Last year, Secretary of TRAI, V Raghunandan said that the regulator knew about these fraudsters who lied to users that their Aadhaar numbers were used for obtaining SIM cards and were being used for illegal activities.
Additionally, the fraudsters also try to trick the users into joining Skype video calls to avoid disconnection of mobile numbers, he added. The official also noted that TRAI has not authorized any agency to contact customers for such activities.
How to report such incidents
TRAI said that any such call or message claiming to be from TRAI is potentially fraudulent. Those users who have been affected by such calls or messages can report the incident to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in). Furthermore, the complaint can be registered by calling the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930).