Thousands of fake calls are coming to people in the country every day. Many of these people are falling prey to these calls and are losing their hard-earned money. From telecom operators to the government, efforts are being made to curb such calls but it is not ending completely.

The new policy implemented by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on October 1, 2024, aims to reduce fake calls and messages. This new rule blocks any fake call or message at the network level itself. Additionally, telecom companies are using all kinds of technology including artificial intelligence to stop these fraudulent messages and calls, but scammers are constantly finding new ways to cheat people, among which the use of internet calls is prominent.

Fraud through Internet calls
According to the Telecommunications Authority of Thailand, internet calls often start with +697 or +698. These types of calls are hard to trace, which is why scammers use them to dupe people. They hide their location using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), making them even more difficult to track. If you receive a call from an international number that begins with +697 or +698, it is better to ignore it. Such calls are often associated with fraud or aggressive marketing. You can also block these numbers in your phone.

If you accidentally answer one of these calls, do not share any personal information. Scammers often pretend to be from a government agency, bank, or other organization. If they ask for information, ask them for a callback number and say that you will call back yourself. If they refuse to give you the number, it is proof that it is a scam.

Reporting fraud
The central government has launched the Chakshu portal, available on the Sanchar Sathi website, where you can report fraudulent calls and messages. If you receive a suspicious call or message, you can report it by visiting this portal and following simple instructions.