Nowadays cyber fraud has become a big problem for mobile users. Meanwhile, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a warning to people across India about a new type of scam call. This scam call appears to be international, but in reality people are being misled by showing the number +91.

Usually when a truly international call is made, it will display a separate country code for that country, such as +1 (USA) or +44 (UK).

But cyber fraudsters now use caller ID spoofing technology to show the call with the number +91, so that the user thinks that the call has come from a government or trusted source. DoT has clearly said that this is the first warning sign and such calls should be immediately suspected.

How do scam calls work?

In such fraud calls, fraudsters call themselves bank officers, telecom department, courier companies or police officers. Their aim is to create fear or haste in people, so that they share their personal information without thinking.

1. The caller makes threats to himself like ‘SIM is about to shut down’.
2. Or he says something like ‘an illegal parcel has arrived in your name’.
3. Many times OTP, bank details or UPI PIN is asked.
4. In some cases, accounts are hacked by sending fake links.
5. As soon as a person shares his information, cyber thugs withdraw money from his bank account or digital wallet.

How to avoid such calls?

1. DoT and cyber security agencies have advised people to adopt some important precautions:
2. Do not immediately trust international calls that appear as +91.
3. Do not share OTP, bank details or password on any unknown call.
4. Block and report suspicious numbers immediately.
5. Do not panic about any threatening call and remain calm.
6. Report such cases on cybercrime.gov.in or helpline 1930.

As the facilities are increasing in the digital world, the methods of cyber fraud are also changing. Fake international calls coming from +91 number are a new example of this. A little vigilance and awareness can save you from big losses. Therefore always remember – do not trust unknown calls, investigation is necessary first.