The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) issued a warning regarding fraudulent calls in which individuals falsely claim to be from Trai, threatening to disconnect numbers. Trai emphasized that it neither blocks nor disconnects any mobile numbers of individual telecom customers, and any such calls or messages claiming to be from Trai should be considered potentially fraudulent. The regulator noted that some entities fraudulently inform the public that they are calling from Trai and that mobile numbers will be disconnected for sending unsolicited messages.
Trai clarified that it never sends messages or makes calls for mobile number disconnections. Entities engaging in such activities also mislead customers by claiming that their Aadhaar numbers were used for obtaining SIM cards involved in illegal activities, urging them to come on a Skype video call to avoid disconnection. Trai reiterated that it has not authorized any agency for such activities, emphasizing that all such calls are illegal and should be dealt with according to the law.
The public is advised to treat any call or message claiming to be from Trai as potentially fraudulent. Trai stated that Access Service Providers, as per the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR) 2018, are responsible for taking appropriate actions against mobile numbers involved in sending unsolicited communications. Affected persons can contact the relevant service providers directly through their customer service center numbers or use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) or call the Cyber Crime Helpline Number 1930.
