Centre cautions citizens against callers posing as DoT officials

Srinagar: Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications Friday cautioned citizens not to fall prey to miscreants, who are impersonating DoT officials, threatening to disconnect their mobile numbers besides other fake warnings.
Ministry of Communications said that calls are being received by the citizens wherein callers, in the name of DoT, are threatening that all of their mobile numbers would be disconnected or their mobile numbers are being misused in some illegal activities.

It said that the DoT has also issued an advisory about WhatsApp calls from foreign-origin mobile numbers (like +92-xxxxxxxxxx) impersonating government officials and duping the people.

“Cyber criminals through such calls try to threaten/steal personal information to carry out cyber-crime/financial frauds. The DoT does not authorize anyone to make such a call on its behalf and has advised people to stay vigilant and asked not to share any information on receiving such calls,” said the Ministry of Communications, adding that the DoT has advised citizens to report such fraudulent communications at ‘Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications’ facility of Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in). Such proactive reporting helps DoT in the prevention of misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime, financial fraud, etc.

Further, citizens can check the mobile connections in their name at the ‘Know Your Mobile Connections’ facility of Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in)  and report any mobile connection not taken by them or not required. The DoT has also advised citizens to report at cyber-crime helpline number 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in in case of already a victim of cyber-crime or financial fraud, the Minister added.