Government Warns Against International Calls From This Number — One Mistake Could Drain Your Bank Account!

Cyber ​​Fraud: According to the DoT, cybercriminals are now employing techniques such as Caller ID Spoofing.

Cyber ​​Fraud: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT)—part of the Government of India—has alerted smartphone users to a new type of cyber fraud. The department has stated that if a caller claims to be making an international call, yet the number begins with the prefix +91, such a call should immediately be treated as suspicious. This is because +91 is India's country code; genuine international calls always originate from a number bearing the country code of the specific nation from which the call is being placed. Consequently, a call displaying the +91 prefix while claiming to be an international call is a strong indication of fraudulent activity.

People Being Targeted Through Fraudulent Calls

According to the DoT, cybercriminals are increasingly utilizing techniques such as Caller ID Spoofing. With the help of this technology, scammers attempt to make any given number appear genuine or trustworthy, thereby making it easier to dupe unsuspecting individuals. During such calls, fraudsters exert pressure on people by posing as telecom officials, police officers, bank employees, or delivery agents. Users are often intimidated with threats—such as their SIM card being deactivated, their bank account being blocked, or the interception of an illegal parcel allegedly sent in their name.

Risk of Theft of Banking Details and OTPs

Government agencies and cybersecurity experts have previously identified such "spoof calls" as a significant threat. The primary objective of these calls is to extract banking details, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), passwords, and other sensitive personal information from individuals. In some instances, users are sent fraudulent links or redirected to fake customer support services, thereby placing both their mobile devices and bank accounts at risk.

Key Advice Issued by the DoT

The Department of Telecommunications has explicitly advised against sharing any personal or financial information during calls from unknown numbers. If a call appears suspicious, one should immediately exercise caution and report it. The department has urged the public to report such fraudulent numbers and instances of telecom fraud via the government's 'Sanchar Saathi' platform. This government service provides users with facilities related to cyber and telecom security.

Alert Issued on Social Media as Well

Sharing a post on the social media platform X, the DoT stated that if a call originating from a +91 number claims to be an international call, it serves as the first red flag. The government is continuously engaged in raising public awareness regarding digital security through campaigns such as 'Scam Alert,' 'Cyber ​​Safety,' and 'International Fraud.'