The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications, has recently issued a critical advisory to the public, warning against a surge in fraudulent calls purportedly originating from the DoT itself.
These deceitful calls, often laden with threats of mobile number disconnection or false claims of involvement in illegal activities, aim to coerce individuals into divulging personal information.
Moreover, the DoT has highlighted another emerging threat in the form of WhatsApp calls from foreign numbers, particularly those beginning with +92, impersonating government officials, and engaging in duplicitous activities.
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Cybercriminals are adept at exploiting unsuspecting individuals through such deceptive tactics leveraging these calls to either extract sensitive personal data or perpetrate various cyber-crimes and financial frauds.
The DoT vehemently disavows any association with such calls and strongly urges citizens to remain vigilant, refraining from disclosing any information upon receiving such suspicious communications.
In response to this escalating menace, the DoT has introduced a proactive measure for citizens to combat these fraudulent activities.
Through the ‘Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ feature on the Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in), individuals can promptly report instances of suspected fraud.
Such preemptive reporting plays a pivotal role in thwarting the misuse of telecom resources for nefarious purposes like cybercrime and financial fraud.
Furthermore, the DoT underscores the importance of citizens exercising diligence in monitoring their mobile connections.
By utilizing the ‘Know Your Mobile Connections’ tool on the Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in), individuals can verify the legitimacy of mobile connections associated with their names and report any discrepancies or unauthorized connections promptly.
In the event of falling victim to cyber-crime or financial fraud, the DoT extends its support by urging affected individuals to report incidents through the cyber-crime helpline number 1930 or via the official website www.cybercrime.gov.in.
This comprehensive advisory underscore the DoT’s commitment to safeguarding citizens against the perils of cybercrime and fraudulent activities, emphasizing the collaborative role of both authorities and the public in combating these threats effectively.
