TRAI Warns Public Against Fraudulent Communication: Advises Vigilance and Reporting

New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a public advisory regarding fraudulent WhatsApp messages, SMSs, and voice calls that falsely claim to be from TRAI. These malicious communications are designed to resemble official notices from senior TRAI officers and are being used to scam unsuspecting citizens.

According to TRAI, these fraudulent notices falsely accuse recipients of illegal activities associated with their mobile numbers and threaten them with law enforcement action or service termination if they do not respond. In some cases, the perpetrators attempt to coerce individuals into installing malware or clicking on phishing links.

TRAI has clarified that it does not initiate communication regarding mobile number disconnection through messages or official notices, nor has it authorized any third-party agency to contact customers for such purposes. Any communication claiming to be from TRAI that threatens mobile number disconnection should be regarded as a fraudulent attempt.

To combat the misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial fraud, TRAI urges citizens to report suspected fraudulent communications via the Chakshu facility on the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi platform. This platform can be accessed at Sanchar Saathi.

For confirmed instances of cybercrime, victims are advised to report the incident through the cybercrime helpline number ‘1930’ or the official website at Cyber Crime Reporting.

TRAI emphasizes the importance of public vigilance and prompt reporting to prevent such fraudulent activities and ensure the security of personal information and telecom resources.