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USSD Call Forwarding Services: Online fraud is increasing across the country. However, now a big decision has been taken by the government to stop the rapidly increasing online fraud.
The Department of Telecommunications has ordered all telecom companies including Airtel and Jio to stop call forwarding using USSD codes. Under this order, call forwarding service in smartphones will be stopped after April 15, 2025.
Here it is important to explain what is USSD code and call forwarding service? How are scammers targeting you through this and what is the government's preparation to crack down on these scammers?
What is USSD code? , USSD code is a short code which mobile users dial to know the phone balance or IMEI number. In simple words, USSD is a facility, with the help of which many services can be done. You can activate and deactivate any number by dialing the code. IMEI number can also be found through USSD code.
How does call forwarding service work? , What is call forwarding service? And what are its disadvantages? – Through call forwarding service, calls or messages received on your mobile number can be forwarded to any other number.
If the user calls an unknown number after dialing *401#, all calls received on the user's mobile are forwarded to the caller's scanner phone. That means access to your call-messages goes into someone else's hands. This is a method that scammers are using a lot these days.
We are not doing this, rather the Department of Telecommunications itself has warned people about this. It was told that scammers are doing online fraud through USSD code *401#.
How do scams make people victims? , In this, scammers call your number and tell you that they are talking to your telecom provider company and there is a network problem in your number. Then to deceive you they tell you that you have to dial *401# to resolve the network issue.
Now as soon as you dial this number, it will ask you to call an unknown number. After which all the messages and calls coming on your phone will be forwarded to the scammer's phone.
Many disadvantages of call forwarding – Also, all the transactions coming to your number including your bank account, social media, online transactions will be transferred to it. Using which he can empty not only yours but also your bank account.
You can also access social media accounts. Not only this, a second SIM card can also be purchased in your name and number through call forwarding.
Know what the Department of Telecommunications said? , The Department of Telecommunications has recently issued a notice in this regard, stating that users who have activated USSD based call forwarding services are required to re-activate the call forwarding services through alternative methods. Can be called.
This ensures that such services are not activated without your knowledge. The decision has been taken to curb online fraud, as the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) believes that the USSD based call forwarding service is being used in online scams and mobile phone fraud.
Stop call forwarding on mobile immediately – Now as per the order of the Telecom Department, telecom companies like Airtel and Reliance Jio will have to find alternative ways to forward calls through Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD).
At such times, smartphone users are advised to check their mobile phone settings for call forwarding and if call forwarding is activated after dialing the Star 401 hashtag, turn it off immediately.