Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has issued a press release today regarding the fake SMS and Voice messages being sent by fraudsters for completing KYC of mobile connections. As per the latest information, such false messages are being received by customers of all mobile operators including BSNL.
Many incidents were already reported from various parts of country where innocent customers have been deceived by such fraudulent people. The modus of operandi of these fraudsters are the same. In all the cases, customers will receive an SMS regarding completion of KYC of their existing mobile number. Such messages also carry a false warning that the mobile number will be disconnected within 24 hours if KYC is not verified.We have received an official communication from BSNL Kerala Circle from Deputy General Manager BSNL Trivandrum, which read as follows:-
Beware of being deceived by fake SMS / VOICE message
The practice of misleading customers by sending various messages, installing mobile apps and asking them to transfer small sums of money by stealing account details is gaining popularity. Misleading messages such as that the new connection has been given for free and that the existing mobile connection will be closed, prompting customers to call the fraudsters through the incoming number and thereby follow their instructions. It has also been noticed that male and female voice calls are coming. Customers should therefore ignore messages and phone calls like this and never click on links that appear in fake messages for any reason. Contact the authorized customer care numbers of your mobile companies for clarification.
Published by BSNL in the public interest. (BSNL TOLL FREE No.1503) Note that the Kerala Police Cyber Cell has issued this warning to mobile users.
Deputy General Manager (HR/Admn)
O/o CGMT BSNL Kerala Circle
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala Police Facebook Post Regarding KYC Fraud
Do Not Respond to Such Fake Calls / SMS
Beware of fraudulent messages / SMS asking you to call any number or offer free mobile data to update your KYC. Do not call or click on any of the links provided in these messages. Do not share personal details with callers from unknown / suspicious numbers. In view of the above, all of our readers are advised not to respond to any of such fake SMS / Voice calls asking for OTP or KYC verification.
Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation, 2018
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) notified Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation, 2018 dated 19th July 2018 to curb the problem of Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC). The objective of the new regulation is to effectively deal with the nuisance of spam experienced by the subscribers. The new system was implemented with effect from 1st April 2021. In this new system, mandatory registration in DLT platform is required to send all commercial communication to their subscribers/prospects. Moreover, the SMS template also need to be registered with telecom service providers. This system will reduce the percentage of SMS frauds since any SMS that is not verified by the telecom service provider will be blocked and not delivered to the customers.
Fraudsters started using Personal Mobile numbers to tackle the issue of SMS Template Registration
It is to be noted that, after the introduction of SMS template system with the help of DLT platform working in block chain technology, fraudsters started to send spam messages from personal mobile numbers instead of SMS headers like – CP-SMSFST, AD-VIRINF, CP-BLMKND, BP-ITLINN etc.
Dear readers, all are requested to share this important information among all your friends and relatives. Fraudsters may ask you to share your Aadhar, PAN or other personal details and we should be vigil not to share our personal information with third parties. How many of you have already recieved such fake calls & SMSs? Please do share your feedback with us.
Tele Kerala is the Chief Editor of KeralaTelecom.Info. He is having more than 13 years of experience in Indian telecom field. He is always interested in learning latest trends and developments in telecommunication sector.
