Beware of Malicious Calls Asking You to Dial *401#

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued an advisory warning users against malicious calls that ask them to dial *401# followed by an unknown mobile number. This action can lead to the activation of unconditional call forwarding from the user's mobile to the unknown number.

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Modus Operandi of the Scam

Fraudsters typically pose as customer service representatives or technical support staff from the user's telecom service provider. They claim that there is an issue with the SIM card, network, or service quality and instruct the user to dial a specific code to fix the problem. This code usually starts with *401# followed by a mobile number.

Once the user dials the code, unconditional call forwarding is activated on their mobile number, allowing fraudsters to receive all incoming calls. This can be used for fraudulent activities, such as identity theft or financial fraud.

How to Protect Yourself

To protect yourself from this scam, the DoT advises users to be cautious of receiving malicious incoming calls asking them to dial *401# followed by an unknown mobile number. Additionally, users should check their mobile phone settings for call forwarding and disable it immediately if it has been enabled by dialing *401#.

Telecom service providers never ask their subscribers to dial *401#, so users should be wary of any such requests.

By following these precautions, users can protect themselves from falling victim to this scam and safeguard their personal information and financial assets.