New steps are being taken by the government to stop fraud. Now strict action has been taken against fraudulent mobile connections. The Ministry of Communications informed that with the help of Sanchar Saathi, the fraud numbers have been identified and closed. This decision has been taken by TRAI and DoT to improve telecom service. Giving a statement on Tuesday, the ministry highlighted network availability, call drop rates and packet drop rates.
He also said that every possible effort is being made to improve them. So far, more than 1 crore mobile connections have been closed.
To stop spam calls, TRAI had asked telecom operators to start shutting down and blacklisting connections. Robo calls and pre-recorded calls were also included in this. In the recent past, about three and a half lakh numbers have been switched off. In this, 50 entities have been blacklisted. About 3.5 lakh unverified SMS headers and 12 lakh content templates have been blocked. Apart from this, 12 lakh content templates were also blocked.
With the help of Sanchar Sathi, around 2.27 lakh mobile handsets were blocked. All of them were involved in cyber crime and financial fraud. Continuous work is also being done by the Ministry of Communications to improve the network. Regulation has also been improved by TRAI. However, even after this, identification is still being done in the network. These regulations were implemented from October 1, 2024 and performance will be monitored every month from April 1, 2025.
Speaking of caution, do not use your personal mobile number for other things. Promotional calls are also included in this. You should not use it. By doing this you can also come in the hit list of telecom companies and your number may even be blocked.
Title: Combating Mobile Fraud: An Interview with Communications Expert Dr. Ravi Kumar
Setting: The sleek offices of Time.news, with a backdrop of digital screens displaying breaking news headlines. The editor, Sarah Lee, sits across from Dr. Ravi Kumar, an esteemed expert in communications technology and fraud prevention.
Sarah Lee (Editor, Time.news): Welcome, Dr. Kumar! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. The recent government steps to combat mobile fraud seem to be quite significant. Can you shed some light on these developments?
Dr. Ravi Kumar (Communications Expert): Thank you for having me, Sarah. Yes, the government’s initiative to crack down on fraudulent mobile connections is a crucial step forward. Mobiles are essential tools in our daily lives, and with their wider use, fraud has become a prevalent issue. The Ministry of Communications has introduced measures through the Sanchar Saathi platform, which is aimed specifically at identifying and reducing the number of fraud calls and SMS.
Sarah Lee: It’s interesting that the Sanchar Saathi platform is at the forefront of this initiative. Can you explain how it works and the technology behind it?
Dr. Ravi Kumar: Absolutely. Sanchar Saathi acts as an integrated solution where users can report suspicious numbers and receive alerts about potential fraud. It employs a combination of AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze calling patterns and flag numbers that exhibit fraudulent behavior. By creating a database of known fraud numbers, it empowers users to be more vigilant and proactive.
Sarah Lee: That sounds promising! However, some might wonder how effective these measures can be. What challenges do you think the government might face in implementing such a system?
Dr. Ravi Kumar: That’s a great question. One of the primary challenges is ensuring widespread awareness and usage of the Sanchar Saathi platform. Many individuals may not know it exists or how to utilize it effectively. Additionally, as technology evolves, so do the tactics employed by fraudsters. Continuous updates to the system and its algorithms will be crucial in staying one step ahead.
Sarah Lee: Awareness is indeed key. What role do you think telecommunications companies should play in this battle against mobile fraud?
Dr. Ravi Kumar: Telecommunications companies have a significant role in enforcing regulations and educating their customers. They should work closely with the government to integrate fraud prevention mechanisms within their systems. Moreover, they can help create campaigns that inform users about how to protect themselves and the importance of reporting fraudulent activity.
Sarah Lee: Given the rise of digital payments and e-commerce, do you believe that mobile fraud will continue to evolve? What could the future hold?
Dr. Ravi Kumar: Unfortunately, I do think mobile fraud will continue to evolve, especially as more people conduct transactions through their phones. However, the future isn’t entirely bleak. With ongoing advancements in cybersecurity and user education, we can build a more resilient system to protect consumers. Innovations like biometric authentication and enhanced encryption will play a pivotal role in safeguarding against fraud.
Sarah Lee: It’s great to hear that there’s hope! Are there any final thoughts you’d like to leave us with regarding this issue?
Dr. Ravi Kumar: Yes, I urge everyone to take an active role in safeguarding their own information. Being aware of common fraud tactics, utilizing platforms like Sanchar Saathi, and reporting suspicious activity can collectively create a safer communication environment. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!
Sarah Lee: Thank you, Dr. Kumar! Your insights have been incredibly valuable, and I hope our readers will take them to heart as we all navigate this digital landscape.
Dr. Ravi Kumar: Thank you for having me, Sarah. It’s been a pleasure!
[End of Interview]