The Department of Telecom (DoT) is cautioning phone users to avoid dialing *401# followed by an unknown scammer pretending to be service providers or IT experts, trick people into dialing *401#, which turns on call forwarding and puts users at risk of cyber fraud. Stay alert and avoid falling for such tricks!
The Telecom Department (DoT) is warning people not to dial *401# and an unknown number. If you do, it could lead to cyber fraud. Be careful and avoid falling for it!
Dialing *401# and an unfamiliar number activates call forwarding on your phone. Fraudsters then get all your incoming calls, posing a risk for fraud. Stay informed to protect yourself from this call forwarding scam!
How the scam works:
Scheme: Scammers, pretending to be mobile service providers or IT experts, make calls to unsuspecting individuals.
Tactic: They persuade the victims to dial *401# followed by a specific number during the call.
Impact: Dialing this code triggers call forwarding, diverting all incoming calls, including important ones from banks or OTP services, to the scammer’s phone.
Objective: Scammers aim to intercept sensitive information such as bank account details, OTPs, or personal verification codes.
Consequence: This information interception enables them to commit financial fraud or identity theft, posing a serious threat to victims’ security. Stay vigilant and avoid falling prey to such tactics!
How to avoid falling prey
Exercise Caution: Be wary of calls from unknown numbers, especially if they claim to be from tech support or service providers.
Beware of Requests: Legitimate companies rarely ask you to dial specific codes during unsolicited calls.
Verification Steps: If in doubt, hang up and contact your service provider directly using their official phone number or website to verify the authenticity of the call.
Guard Personal Information: Never share personal details, account information, or passwords over the phone unless you are certain of the caller’s legitimacy.
Avoid Dialing Unknown Codes: Refrain from dialing codes provided by unfamiliar callers, especially those related to call forwarding or other settings.
Consult Official Instructions: If unsure about call settings, refer to your service provider’s official instructions for guidance.
Report Suspected Scams: Report any suspicious calls to your service provider and local authorities to initiate investigations and prevent further harm. Stay vigilant to protect yourself from potential scams.
Important Reminders for Phone Security:
Check Settings Regularly: Periodically review your phone’s call forwarding settings to ensure they remain unchanged and haven’t been tampered with unknowingly.
Swift Action on Suspicion: If you come across any suspicious call forwarding, disable it promptly to prevent potential security breaches.
Stay Informed: Stay updated on prevalent scams and their tactics by engaging with awareness campaigns and relying on trustworthy sources for information.
Spread Awareness: Share details about this specific scam with your family and friends to raise awareness and collectively safeguard against potential harm. Together, we can build a more secure digital environment
Dhairya Saraswat