Called a Friend but Heard a Stranger? Beware of This New Phone Scam!

Cybercriminals and fraudsters are constantly targeting mobile users with new tactics to deceive them and drain their bank accounts. Among their many schemes, one particularly dangerous trick involves the misuse of call forwarding , a legitimate telecom feature that allows users to redirect calls to another number. If you call someone and hear a different voice on the other end, you might assume it’s a network glitch and call again. However, this could be a sign of a major scam.

Call forwarding is a legal service provided by telecom operators, but cybercriminals exploit it to divert calls without the user’s knowledge. Many victims remain unaware of this fraud until they experience significant financial losses.

How to Check if Your Calls Are Being Forwarded

To determine whether call forwarding is active on your phone, follow these simple steps:

• Dial #21# and press the call button.
• If call forwarding is active, the number to which your calls are being forwarded will appear on the screen.
• If no forwarding is active, you will see the message “No Service Activated”.
• If you discover that your calls are being forwarded to an unknown number, disable it immediately by dialling ##002#. If the problem persists, navigate to your phone’s call forwarding settings and remove any unfamiliar numbers.

Why Is This Fraud Dangerous?
According to Dr. Snehal Vakil, a Gujarat-based cyber expert, “Your SIM card acts as a key to your bank account. If your OTPs or other sensitive calls are being forwarded, cybercriminals can gain access to your bank account and cause financial losses before you even realise it.”

This type of fraud is particularly dangerous because it allows scammers to intercept critical information, such as one-time passwords (OTPs) and banking alerts, which are often sent via phone calls or SMS. Once they gain access to this information, they can easily siphon money from your account without your knowledge.

To protect yourself, regularly check your call forwarding settings and stay vigilant about any unusual activity on your phone. By taking these precautions, you can safeguard your finances and avoid falling victim to these sophisticated scams.