TRAI warns public against impersonation scams threatening mobile disconnection

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a warning to the public about fraudulent calls claiming to be from TRAI.

The calls are being made by companies, agencies, and individuals who are trying to trick the public into revealing their personal information or paying money to avoid disconnection of their mobile numbers.

The fraudulent entities further allege that Adhaar numbers have been used for obtaining SIM cards involved in illegal activities. To avoid the purported disconnection, victims are coerced into engaging in Skype video calls.

In response, TRAI has clarified that it does not initiate the blocking or disconnection of any mobile numbers belonging to individual telecom customers. The regulatory body asserts that it neither sends messages nor makes calls for such purposes. TRAI has not authorized any agency to contact customers for disconnection activities, emphasizing that all such communications are illegal and should be treated accordingly under the law.

“The public is urged to exercise caution and skepticism if they receive any calls or messages claiming to be from TRAI. Such communications should be treated as potentially fraudulent, and individuals are encouraged to report such incidents promptly.”

As per Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR) 2018 of TRAI, Access Service Providers are responsible for taking appropriate actions against the mobile numbers involved in sending unsolicited communications.

“Affected persons may take up the matter with the concerned Service Providers directly on their respective Customer Service Center numbers or on National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal https://cybercrime.gov.in or call Cyber Crime Helpline Number 1930,” TRAI said in a statement.

CT Bureau