The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has ordered mobile operators to block 28,200 mobile handsets. All these mobiles were used for cyber crime and cyber fraud.
DoT has also ordered reverification of 20 lakh numbers used in these mobile phones. If the number is not revised, then it has been asked to be closed.
The Telecom Department issued a statement today i.e. Friday (May 10) and said that it is working in collaboration with the Department, Home Ministry and the State Police to prevent misuse of telecom resources in cyber crime and financial fraud.
A month ago, DoT had issued an advisory for all mobile users regarding calls threatening to close the mobile number. The government had said that it (DoT) does not authorize any person to make such calls.
Then the Telecom Department had told in the advisory that many people are getting calls in the name of DoT. On these calls, people are being threatened by telling that your number has been used for illegal activity. Your mobile number will be blocked.
To prevent the mobile number from being blocked, the caller asks for personal information from people. As soon as people give it, they become victims of fraud. Apart from this, the government has also issued an advisory for WhatsApp calls coming from foreign numbers (eg- +92). If you have become a victim of any such fraud, then call the government's helpline number 1930 or register a complaint on www.cybercryme.gov.in.
Do not share your account details like ATM number or four digit PIN with anyone.
The bank never asks you for such information. If you have any kind of doubt, go to the bank and contact them.
If possible, do not share your personal information or your number on social media.
Keep changing your ATM or Gmail, Facebook, Instagram passwords after a few months.
If someone is sending you money, then no PIN comes on your number for this, if it comes, do not share it. This is fraud.
After installing any app, it asks you for some permission. Such as location, camera, photo and video. People keep clicking OK without checking in a hurry. Avoid doing this. Read the guidelines of any app carefully.
The government has also launched the Chakshu portal to avoid cyber fraud. The government is also working on making an app for Chakshu. If you receive any call, SMS or WhatsApp message with the intention of fraud, then you can report it on the portal. In the complaint, the time, date of receiving the call or SMS and all the information related to it have to be given. There is also a screenshot of such call or message as a record.