Beware: Government Sounds Alarm On Incoming Calls From These Numbers!

The Department of Telecommunication (DoT), operating under the Ministry of Communication, has issued a cautionary advisory to the public regarding fraudulent WhatsApp calls falsely claiming to be from the DoT. These scam calls, purportedly from telecom department officials, are targeting mobile users and making alarming threats.

The perpetrators behind these calls, posing as representatives of the telecom department, are resorting to intimidation tactics. Innocent citizens are being warned that their phone numbers will either be disconnected or are being misused for illicit activities. This alarming trend has prompted the DoT to issue a stern advisory to the public.

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Furthermore, the DoT has also highlighted another concerning aspect of these scam calls, which involves WhatsApp calls originating from foreign mobile numbers, such as those starting with +92. These calls often impersonate government officials and aim to deceive unsuspecting individuals.

According to the government advisory, the scammers are attempting to extract personal information from their targets under the guise of carrying out financial fraud. The DoT has made it explicitly clear that it does not authorize anyone to make such calls on its behalf. Therefore, individuals are advised to remain vigilant and refrain from sharing any personal information if they receive such calls.

To combat this growing threat, the DoT has urged people to report any instances of fraudulent calls through its dedicated 'Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications' platform on the Sanchar Saathi portal. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to verify the mobile connections registered in their name using the 'Know Your Mobile Connections' feature on the same portal and report any discrepancies.

In the event of falling victim to cybercrime or financial fraud, users can also seek assistance by reporting such incidents via the cyber-crime helpline number 1920 or through the official website www.cybercrime.gov.in.

For those using WhatsApp, the platform offers certain features to help users combat spam calls. Users can opt to silence unknown calls, preventing them from ringing if the number is not saved in their phonebook. Additionally, individuals have the option to block specific numbers on WhatsApp.

While these measures may not completely eradicate spam calls, they serve as valuable tools in safeguarding against repeated instances of such fraudulent activities. It is crucial for users to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves from falling prey to scam calls in the digital age.