What is TRAI SCAM?
In recent months, a concerning scam has emerged in India involving fraudsters impersonating the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). These scammers contact individuals, falsely claiming that their mobile numbers will be deactivated due to issues like fraud cases or incomplete Know Your Customer (KYC) details. They create a sense of urgency, pressuring victims to act immediately to prevent service disruption.
The primary objective of these scammers is to extract sensitive personal information, such as Aadhaar numbers and bank details, under the guise of verifying user identity. This information is then exploited for financial theft and identity fraud.
How the Scam Works?
1. Initial Contact
Medium: SMS, or phone call. Mostly phone call.
Content:
- SMS Example: Your mobile number will be deactivated today (next 2-4 hours) due to suspicious activity or improper usage or incomplete Know Your Customer (KYC) details. Click here to avoid disconnection. (Malicious Link).
- Phone Call Example: Recorded Voice Message: “Hello, this is from Telecom Authority of India. Your mobile number will be deactivated in next 2 hours due to suspicious activity. Press 1 to avoid disconnection.
2. Asking for Information
On selecting the given option, user will be redirected to an executive, wherein they will ask user to enter sensitive information like address, aadhar number, or ask for OTP for verification. The scammer will be talking very convincingly and pressures the victim with urgency.
3. Exploitation
The personal and financial information extracted from user is then exploited for financial theft and identity fraud.
How to stay safe?
To protect yourself from such scams, be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages requesting personal information or immediate action. Always verify the authenticity of the caller, and report any suspicious communications to your telecom operator or through official channels like the Sanchar Saathi portal.
How to Identify and Avoid the Scam?
- Verify Directly: Contact mobile service provider directly using their official website or customer service number.
- Examine the Message: Check for grammatical or spelling errors. Look at the sender/caller’s phone number.
- Do Not Click Links: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or SMS.
- Do Not Share Information: Never share personal details or payment information over unsolicited calls, emails, or SMS.
- Use Security Tools: Keep antivirus software updated to detect and block malicious links or downloads.
- Check for Scams in ScamYodha with phone number of sender or keyword search for SMS
- Enable two-factor authentication for financial and online accounts.
Counter Measures by Govt
In response to this threat, TRAI has issued advisories emphasizing that it does not contact individuals regarding SIM closures or personal information updates. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has also raised awareness about such fraudulent activities, advising citizens to report scams by filing police complaints, calling the helpline number 1930, or reporting incidents on the Sanchar Saathi portal. Telecom operators have been instructed to play cybercrime awareness messages multiple times daily to educate the public on common scams.
Media Mentions of TRAI Scam
What can we do to Help?
Report the SCAM
Report the Scam in ScamYodha . ScamYodha is an advanced web application designed to safeguard individuals and businesses from falling victim to scams. It aims to create a community-driven approach to fraud prevention by allowing users to contribute to a growing database of known scams, thereby protecting others from falling victim.
- ScamYodha helps users verify the legitimacy of UPI ID, phone numbers, websites, sms, emails by cross-referencing known scam databases and utilizing advanced algorithms.
- ScamYodha empowers users to report suspicious activity, contributing to a growing community-driven network to combat fraud.
Co-Founder , Ceegees Software Solutions Pvt Ltd.
Problem Solver, Engineer