Call forwarding fraud: Ways to identify and prevent them

08 January, 2024

Today, technology plays an integral role in our day-to-day communications. While it eases our lives and creates convenience by simplifying how we connect to the world, it has also opened avenues that may affect our privacy and financial security. One such malicious activity is Call Forwarding Fraud.

Understanding how these frauds occur is crucial to ensure you do not lose your hard-earned money. And to understand the dos and don’ts to protect yourself from such frauds, HDFC Bank Vigil Aunty is your go-to assistant. She will keep you updated with the new modes of frauds and what you can do to save yourself! Explore today!

What is a call forwarding fraud?

Call forwarding fraud is a technique fraudsters use to gain unauthorised access to your phone or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. It typically involves diverting incoming calls from your legitimate number to a scam forwarding number to gain control. This way, they can use your number to make phone calls to international or premium-rate numbers or international numbers.

The process of conducting a call forwarding fraud is fairly simple. The fraudster typically attacks the vulnerabilities in your phone’s system to manipulate the settings on your device. They may also employ social engineering techniques to get access to your personal information, which helps them set up call forwarding without your knowledge.

How these frauds can impact you

If you do not identify a scam attack in time and become a victim, you may face financial repercussions. These can include, but are not limited to:

1. Compromised personal information and privacy: The fraudster can hand over your sensitive personal information to individuals. This can lead to identity theft, which can have a long-lasting impact on your financial and emotional well-being.
   
   

2. Financial drain - As a victim, you will typically face substantial financial losses due to call forwarding frauds. Fraudsters usually exploit call forwarding schemes to make unauthorised international and premium-rate calls, leaving you with excessive phone bills.
   
   

3. Loss of essential communications - You will often find yourself missing important calls. This can potentially lead to missed communications or even compromised safety.
   
   

4. Harm to reputation - If your phone line is compromised, it can result in unauthorised access to your voicemails, text messages, and call logs. This can further expose your confidential information, jeopardise personal and professional relationships and potentially damage your reputation.
   
   

To safeguard yourself against such repercussions, it is crucial for you to be aware of call forwarding frauds and what steps you can take to prevent them. Ensuring a proactive approach can help you better protect your privacy and personal information from such fraudulent activities.

How to identify call forwarding fraud

Detecting a call forwarding fraud can be tricky as fraudsters often get access to the latest tactics to hack your smartphone and remain undetected. However, there are some indicators of such fraud:

1. Service disruptions - If you have become a victim of this scam, you will notice unusual disruptions in your phone services. For example, calls will go directly to voicemail or take an unusually long time to connect.
   
   
2. High bills - It is an excellent habit always to check your phone bills. If you notice a sudden and unexplained increase in your bill amount, it may be an indication that your phone is potentially compromised.
   
   Alternatively, you might find unfamiliar or international numbers in your call records on the bill. This could be an indicator that fraudulent calls have been made.
   
   
3. Inability to receive calls - If friends or family report that they are unable to reach you despite their calls showing as connected, it's another telling sign of call forwarding fraud.
   
   Keeping a close check on early indicators of a call forwarding scam can help you take corrective measures in time and prevent any potentially significant damage.
   
   

Dos and don'ts to prevent call forwarding fraud

Prevention is the best cure for fraud. Below are some dos and don'ts you can follow to protect yourself:

Dos:

1. Setting up strong security measures by using strong passwords for your phone accounts and regularly updating them helps you ensure security in the long run.
   
   
2. Enabling two-factor authentication for your phone accounts can further improve your phone’s safety by adding an extra layer of security.
   
   
3. Stay cautious about your personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive information like OTPs, CVVs, and credit card information over a call, especially with an unknown or unsolicited caller.
   
   
4. If you suspect a call forwarding fraud, immediately contact your service provider to report and resolve the issue.
   
   
5. Stay informed about the latest frauds and educate your family members and friends about the risks of different kinds of fraud.
   
   
6. Use strong passwords that include uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols and numbers for your phone and VoIP accounts.
   
   

Don'ts:

1. Never not ignore any unusual activity on your call log. Promptly investigating and fixing any unexpected activities is essential for maintaining the security of your data.
   
   
2. Never share your sensitive information without verifying the legitimacy of the identity and organisation of the caller.
   
   
3. Never underestimate the fraudsters. Even if you suspect a fraud but are unsure, treat it seriously and take the recommended actions. It's better to be cautious than to suffer financial loss.
   
   
4. Never wait before reporting the fraud. The sooner you report it, the quicker action will be taken to mitigate the damage.
   
   

Call forwarding fraud is a severe threat that can have far-reaching consequences. Understanding the tactics that fraudsters use, recognising the signs of fraud, and implementing preventative measures can help you safeguard yourself from significant financial losses.

Join Vigil Army, where Vigil Aunty will decode various frauds and give people a heads-up on the dos and don’ts of combating frauds online. To join the Vigil Army, send ‘Hi’ to her via WhatsApp number 7290030000.