Urgent Cybercrime Alert: The USSD Call Forwarding Scam That Could Empty Your Bank Account

There's an urgent alert sounding across the digital landscape, and it's one we absolutely can't afford to ignore. The National Cybercrime Unit (NCU) has issued a critical warning about a particularly insidious scam that's targeting bank accounts and, quite frankly, could leave you financially vulnerable in a heartbeat. We're talking about the USSD call forwarding scam, a clever tactic designed to snatch your hard-earned money right from under your nose.

So, what exactly is this sneaky scheme all about? At its core, this scam leverages a perfectly legitimate feature on your phone – call forwarding – but twists it into a tool for theft. Imagine this: fraudsters trick you into dialing a specific, seemingly innocuous USSD code, often starting with 401 followed by their own phone number. Once you dial it, you've inadvertently activated "unconditional call forwarding." This means all your incoming calls, without exception, are now rerouted straight to the scammer's device. Scary, isn't it?

But how do they manage to pull off such a trick? Well, these con artists are incredibly adept at impersonation. You might receive a call that looks official, perhaps from someone pretending to be from your bank, a credit card company, or even a government agency. They might spin a story about needing to "update your KYC," offering you an irresistible credit card deal, or even congratulating you on winning a lottery you never entered. The common thread? They'll often pressure you, create a sense of urgency, and eventually instruct you to dial a specific number or, more dangerously, a particular USSD code to "verify" something or "activate" an offer.

Here's where the real danger lies. Once your calls are forwarded to the scammer, they effectively become you in the eyes of any service trying to reach you. Think about it: when your bank needs to send you a One-Time Password (OTP) for a transaction, or a verification call for a login, guess who receives it? The scammer. This gives them a golden ticket to access your bank accounts, initiate UPI transactions, or compromise any other financial service linked to your phone number. It’s almost like they’ve physically stolen your phone without ever laying a hand on it.

The insidious nature of this scam is that it preys on trust and often exploits a lack of awareness about basic phone functions. Many people don't realize that dialing a simple string of numbers can hand over control of their incoming calls. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a direct pathway to significant financial loss and immense personal stress. We’ve seen countless cases where victims only realize what’s happened when their bank account statements show unauthorized transactions, and by then, it can be incredibly difficult to recover the funds.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones from this growing threat? The advice is straightforward but absolutely crucial. First and foremost, never, ever dial any USSD code or phone number that an unknown caller or sender asks you to. Your bank, a legitimate service provider, or any government agency will never ask you to activate call forwarding. If you receive a suspicious call or message, the best course of action is to disconnect immediately. If you're concerned it might be legitimate, independently find the official contact number for your bank or the relevant organization (don't use the number they gave you!) and call them back directly to verify.

Your vigilance is your strongest defense here. Regularly check your phone settings to ensure no unauthorized call forwarding is active. If you suspect you've fallen victim to this scam, or even if you just receive a suspicious call that raises your eyebrows, don't hesitate. Report it immediately to the official cybercrime portal at cybercrime.gov.in or call their national helpline at 1930. Acting quickly can make all the difference in mitigating potential damage and helping authorities track down these fraudsters. Let’s stay smart, stay vigilant, and keep our digital defenses strong.