Central Government’s Bold Move to Combat Spam Calls and Fraudulent Activities in India

The Central government is taking a strong stance against the nuisance of spam calls and fraudulent activities plaguing mobile networks in India. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced stringent regulations that will come into effect nationwide starting September 1, 2024. These measures aim to provide relief to the general public from unwanted calls and messages.

TRAI has issued directives to telecom companies to ensure compliance with these new regulations. Individuals engaged in telemarketing from their mobile numbers face the risk of being blacklisted for two years under the new guidelines. The Ministry of Telecommunications has introduced a dedicated 160 number series for telemarketers to curb financial fraud.

The Department of Telecom and Communication’s initiative to allocate the 160 number series enables sectors like banking and insurance to conduct promotional activities using these specific numbers. This strategic move is expected to address the issue of unwanted calls and messages, particularly those generated automatically, such as robotic calls and messages. The government has declared a ban on such communications starting September 1.

Recent data from the Department of Telecommunication highlights the prevalence of fraudulent messages, with thousands of users receiving unauthorized communications through misused SIM cards. In response, individuals are encouraged to report any suspicious messages or calls to the designated platforms, including the Sanchar Sati portal and helpline 1909.

To lodge a complaint, users can visit the sancharsathi.gov.in website and navigate to the Citizen Centric Service section to initiate the reporting process. By selecting the fraud category and providing essential details such as screenshots of the fraudulent calls, affected mobile numbers, and timestamps of the incidents, individuals can contribute to combating fraudulent activities effectively. Verification through an OTP received on the reported mobile number enhances the accuracy and credibility of the complaints filed.