Summary:
Bharti Airtel has launched an AI-powered tool called Fraud Alert to protect users from rising OTP-related banking frauds, initially rolling it out in Haryana with plans to expand to all customers within 14 days. The system works alongside Airtel’s spam detection service to identify suspicious calls where scammers attempt to trick users into sharing banking OTPs, and it sends real-time warnings when a bank OTP is generated during a potentially risky call. As part of its broader mission to create a safer network, Airtel has introduced multiple AI-driven safeguards over the past two years, including spam call alerts and malicious link blocking, disabling over 800,000 fraudulent links and analysing spam patterns using more than 250 behavioural parameters to detect scam activity without targeting individuals directly.
On Wednesday, Bharti Airtel introduced its new artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tool, Fraud Alert, aimed at safeguarding its subscribers from the fast-rising threat of one-time-password (OTP)-linked banking frauds.
The service is currently operational in Haryana. The telecom company stated that it will extend the rollout to all customers in phases over the next 14 days.
Scammers often take advantage of the urgency typically linked with OTPs used for everyday services like deliveries, tricking individuals into revealing banking transaction OTPs and thereby putting their account funds at risk.
Airtel’s AI-powered system, which functions alongside its mobile spam detection service, identifies such high-risk scenarios and notifies customers accordingly.
According to the telecom operator, when a bank OTP is generated during a suspicious incoming call, Airtel steps in with a fraud alert message cautioning the user about the risks of approving a banking transaction OTP while still engaged on the call.
“We are on a mission to make Airtel the safe network. In pursuing this goal, we have recognised that although OTPs serve as a fundamental layer of protection for digital transactions, their effectiveness is often compromised by criminal strategies,” said Shashwat Sharma, MD & CEO, Bharti Airtel.
He further noted that the newly launched solution is intended to enhance safeguards against banking-related fraud.
In the last two years, Airtel has introduced several AI-driven, technology-based protective measures, including spam call notifications and blocking of malicious links, to prevent fraud at its origin.
The telecom provider has also disabled over 800,000 fraudulent links across its network and over-the-top messaging platforms such as WhatsApp.
Airtel utilises more than 250 indicators to analyse patterns associated with spam and scam communications.
“We are not labelling an individual as a spammer. Instead, we are identifying spam-related behaviour. Over 250 parameters monitor calls and messages in real time. The AI system assigns each caller a score based on behavioural patterns,” Rahul Vatts, chief regulatory officer at Airtel, stated at an industry event on Tuesday.
