The ever-evolving tactics of cyber fraud are making life increasingly difficult for the average user. Scammers now bypass fake links and apps, exploiting a basic mobile feature to trap people.
Alert! The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued a significant warning regarding this menace.
The alert highlights the misuse of the mobile call forwarding feature by cybercriminals. Usually employed to redirect calls to another number, this feature has been weaponized by cyber fraudsters.
This scam often begins with a seemingly innocent call or message. Scammers impersonate courier companies or delivery agents, claiming to have a parcel or resolving a delivery issue. To appear credible, they send an SMS, prompting you to dial a USSD code to fix the problem.
Here's the trap: these USSD codes typically start with 21, 61, or 67. Unwitting users dialing these codes activate call forwarding, redirecting their calls to another number.
What's the Catch with Call Forwarding Scam?
According to I4C, this vulnerability is exploited by scammers. Once call forwarding is activated, verification calls, OTPs, and alerts intended for the bank are routed directly to the scammer's phone. Users often remain oblivious to this intrusion.
Once scammers gain access to OTPs and verification calls, hacking into bank accounts, WhatsApp, and Telegram becomes worryingly simple. Many users only realize when funds vanish or their social media accounts fall under another's control.
I4C's Stern Warning
The insidious nature of this fraud means no links are clicked and no apps are installed. Just dialing a code suffices, which is why I4C cautions vigilance, as USSD codes aren't traditionally seen as threats.
Cyber experts note scammers deliberately opt for methods that appear benign. Since call forwarding is a legitimate feature, users don't suspect foul play. Yet, once configured to a scammer's number, total digital control can be lost.
Settings Tweaks You Must Make
I4C advises dialing ##002# instantly if you suspect accidental call forwarding activation. This code deactivates all call forwarding, routing calls back to your phone.
This alert reinforces the reality that cyber fraud transcends technology to become an awareness issue. A mere call or message can kickstart a significant scam, so unchecked unfamiliar calls, delivery messages, or USSD codes can lead to dire consequences.
