Govt issues advisory over fraud DoT calls
NEW DELHI: Alarmed at the growing cases of fraud and
impersonation
directed at mobile phone users, govt has issued an advisory for citizens, warning against engaging with
WhatsApp calls
from foreign origin mobile numbers, apart from threats of number disconnection given out in the name of department of telecom (DoT).
“DoT has issued an advisory to citizens that calls are being received by the citizens wherein callers, in the name of DoT, are threatening that all of their mobile numbers would be disconnected or their mobile numbers are being misused in some illegal activities. DoT has also issued advisory about WhatsApp calls from foreign origin mobile numbers (like +92-xxxxxxxxxx) impersonating govt officials and duping the people,” it said.
The ministry said through such calls,
cyber criminals
are trying to threaten/steal personal information to carry out cyber-crime and financial frauds. ” DoT does not authorise anyone to make such call on its behalf and has advised people to stay vigilant and not to share any information on receiving such calls.”
The ministry advised citizens to report such fraudulent communications at ‘Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ facility of Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in). “Such proactive reporting helps DoT in prevention of misuse of telecom resources for cyber-crime, financial frauds, etc.”
It also said citizens can check the mobile connections in their name at ‘Know Your Mobile Connections’ facility of Sanchar Saathi portal and report any connection not taken by them or not required. DoT has asked users to report instance of cyber-crime or financial frauds at helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in.
On March 4, Centre had launched ‘Chakshu’ facility to enable citizens proactively report suspected fraudulent communications.
Communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said govt has been persistently making efforts to check cyber frauds under the Secure India project, at three levels – national, organisational and individual. He said DoT has taken many initiatives to spread awareness so citizens can make use of the tools for addressing their grievances as well as protect themselves from cyber-frauds. This includes Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), which is a secure and integrated platform for real time intelligence sharing, information exchange and coordination among the stakeholders including Telecom Service Providers, law enforcement agencies, banks and financial institutions, social media platforms, ID document issuing authorities.