The call forwarding scam has been around for quite some time now, but unfortunately it is also a fact that scammers still find ways to trick...
The call forwarding scam has been around for quite some time now, but unfortunately it is also a fact that scammers still find ways to trick their unsuspecting victims.
Here's how the scam works:
Scammers will call you and pretend to be a customer service representative from your mobile network operator or internet service provider. They'll tell you that your account has been hacked or there is some issue with your SIM card. They'll then tell you that they have a quick fix for this and ask you to dial a number from your phone, starting with *401*.
NEVER LISTEN AND DO WHAT THEY SAY, always remain skeptical and tell them that they will contact the customer support and the Police. If they are scammers, they will immediately disconnect call or will try hard to convince you not to do so.
What actually scammers are doing is that they are forwarding your calls to a number they have. Then they will try to log in to your other accounts, like messaging apps or bank accounts. Since calls are forwarded to them and scammers have access to your calls and receive OTPs that you would be receiving.
Scammers are even more notorious and heartless these days. What they do is that they set up a 2-factor authentication on your other accounts which makes it harder for you to get access back.
Unfortunately, scammers are still finding ways to trick people with this scam. For example, they might use fake caller IDs to make it look like they're calling from your mobile network operator. They might even pretend to be calling from a government agency or law enforcement.
How To Stay Safe?
Install apps such as Truecaller and make sure your app is regularly updated.
Setup 2-factor authentication on all your other accounts which makes it harder if not impossible for unsolicited users to ganin access to your accounts.
By using Truecaller to check the caller's number, you can quickly see if it's a known scam number and avoid falling for the call-forwarding scam.
Be suspicious of any unsolicited calls from people claiming to be customer service representatives. If someone asks you to dial a code or send an SMS from your phone, be very wary and don't do it unless you are absolutely sure it's legitimate.
If you think a scammer has targeted you, immediately report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
You can contact your mobile network operator and contact your nearest police department and report immediately. You can find the contact in the Truecaller app's Government Directory Service tab.
If you somehow got scammed, please contact your mobile operator and figure out how to stop call forwarding. Usually, there'll be a similar code that you'll need to dial to stop call forwarding.
By staying informed, being vigilant, and taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself, you can avoid falling prey to these scams and help to spread awareness to others in your community.
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