Dot blocks 1. 75 lakh numbers instantly to crackdown spam calls: trai

THIS LARGE-SCALE CRACKDOWN WAS INITIATED WITH PUBLIC PARTICIPATION THROUGH THE CHAKSHU PORTAL, WHERE USERS REPORTED UNAUTHORIZED MARKETING AND FRAUDULENT CALLS. BASED ON MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS,

THE DOT IDENTIFIED AND BLOCKED THESE NUMBERS, AIMING TO CURB SPAM AND ENHANCE SECURITY FOR TELECOM USERS. New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (commonly known as DoT) has taken a

strict action against unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) by blocking around 1.75 lakh phone numbers across the country. This move has been taken as part of TRAI’s new anti-spam

regulations- which aims at preventing fraudulent marketing calls and illegal telecommunication activities. PUBLIC COMPLAINTS LED TO ACTION AGAINST SPAM CALLS The DoT initiated this

large-scale action with public participation through the Chakshu portal, a platform where users can report spam or fraudulent calls. Following multiple complaints, the DoT identified and

blocked thousands of Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and landline numbers that were being used for unauthorized marketing and fraud. Additionally, the government has warned enterprises misusing

such numbers and has announced strict penalties for violations, including heavy fines and equipment confiscation. WHICH PHONE NUMBERS WERE BLOCKED BY DOT? According to the DoT’s official X

(formerly Twitter) handle, the blocked numbers primarily belonged to 0731, 079, 080, and similar prefixes. These numbers were found to be misused: * Primary Rate Interface (PRI) * Leased

lines * Internet leased lines * Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LEASED CIRCUIT (IPLC) The crackdown was carried out after an investigation into the communication

activities of these numbers, confirming their involvement in fake marketing calls and other fraudulent operations. _TRAI’S NEW UCC RULES AND STRICT PENALTIES_ As per TRAI’s updated

Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) regulations, enterprises making unauthorized promotional calls face severe consequences, including: * Blocking of phone numbers * Seizure of

communication equipment * Heavy financial penalties The DoT has urged businesses to comply with the new telemarketing rules to avoid penalties and ensure legal communication practices. HOW

TO REPORT SPAM OR FAKE CALLS? If you receive suspicious or promotional calls, you can report them directly via the Chakshu portal under the Sanchar Saathi platform. _HERE’S HOW TO REPORT A

SPAM CALL:_ * Visit the Sanchar Saathi website or download the app. * Navigate to the Chakshu section. * Follow the on-screen instructions to file a complaint against the fraudulent number.

By reporting such calls, you can help combat spam and fraudulent telemarketing activities in India. _ALSO READ: UPI DOWN AGAIN! GOOGLE PAY, PAYTM, SBI USERS FACE MAJOR PAYMENT DISRUPTIONS

ACROSS INDIA_ _ALSO READ: PAYTM TRAVEL PASS LAUNCHED, OFFERING FREE CANCELLATIONS, INSURANCE AND DISCOUNT WORTH RS 15,200_