For a considerable period, scammers have been cheating telecommunications consumers.
By means of spam phone calls and text messages, they have deceitfully obtained millions of rupees from unsuspecting members of the public.
Defrauding individuals over the phone or through SMS is not an effortless task, as these criminals target individuals randomly and prey on those who are not well-versed with modern technology.
Through deception, they gain access to sensitive information and engage in identity theft, financial fraud, data theft, and other illicit activities.
However, thanks to the launch of a new facility by TRAI, there is now a solution to the menace of spam calls and messages.
TRAI Launches AI-Powered Spam Calls and SMS Filters
Starting on May 1, all calls and messages will undergo scanning for spam using AIR filters and will subsequently be blocked.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated that telecom companies integrate these AI-powered filters into their systems to help users avoid falling victim to spam calls and text messages.
The newly implemented filters utilize artificial intelligence to identify and obstruct fraudulent calls and SMS.
Leading telecom service providers such as Vodafone, Airtel, Jio, and BSNL are gearing up to introduce AI filters to tackle the growing problem of spam calls and messages.
Airtel has already made an announcement that it will offer AI filters to its customers, and Jio is in the process of installing AI filters to counter fake calls and messages.
As per reports from DNA India, other telecom operators are also expected to incorporate these filters before TRAI’s deadline.
How to Identify Spam Calls on WhatsApp?
India is home to approximately 500 million WhatsApp users, and this vast user base makes it an attractive target for spammers to prey on individuals who are less familiar with technology to extract their sensitive information for fraudulent purposes.
Therefore, below are some of the most effective methods to identify spam calls on WhatsApp:
Unknown Number
If an incoming call is from a number that is not saved in your contact list, there is a strong possibility that it is a spam call.
In addition, you would have to block the unknown number manually if you want to avoid further disturbances, as WhatsApp currently does not provide an option to automatically block unknown calls or messages.
Misguiding or Triggering Messages
At times, you might receive messages containing links, false information, or rumors. Such messages are highly likely to be spam.
You can spot them by the presence of sensational or viral content that is frequently shared.
Moreover, spammers tend to propagate such messages by sending them to large groups or communities.
Suspicious Links
Another telltale sign of spam messages on WhatsApp is the inclusion of dubious links. Clicking on these links may inadvertently provide spammers with access to your sensitive financial data stored on your device.
Permission to Login
According to Indian Express, authentic websites and applications typically do not use WhatsApp for performing tasks like OTP verification, password recovery, or login requests.
Therefore, if you receive a suspicious text on the platform that asks for a login in the context of security, it is safer to assume that it is fraudulent.
Moreover, WhatsApp cannot be used for two-factor authentication (2FA).
