It's official now: Fraudsters are targeting mobile subscribers

The fraudsters are targeting the burgeoning telecom subscribers of India. Some of the malicious activities by fraudsters have resulted in substantial increase in the phone bill.

This could be just a start, as limited cases of hacking were reported worldwide. The problem could be huge for India, the second largest telecom market based on subscriber base. Besides, it's also a caution signal for the 2 mn subscribers using Internet on handsets. A large part of subscriber base is still uneducated and could be easily targeted by such fraudsters.

Bharti Airtel, India's largest cellular service provider, on Wednesday issued advisory to its 110 mn subscribers. Bharti Airtel asked subscribers to avoid going to sites offering unreliable and questionable content on mobile browser and download or install any software from unreliable websites. It also asked subscriber not to post mobile number on the websites unless one is very sure about the security of the website. The advisory also suggest not to dial any code from your mobile that an unknown caller asks you to bdo so.

The common frauds which were reported including calls being dialed out from mobile phone to international numbers or satellite numbers without subscriber's knowledge. Content from unreliable sources may lead to malicious software like viruses being installed on your handset, which may lead to your personal data on the mobile being compromised. Imposter calling and asking a subscriber to dial or seeking information like IMEI, bank account number and other information may help fraudsters hack your handset.

These fraudsters can come in the form of an SMS from unknown sources prompting a subscriber to call a number, offering free download of content, movie clips, pictures, premium rates for ISD services and calls or miss calls from a number where the person on the other end claims to be calling from your service provider.

The company also asked the subscriber to check mobile bill regularly for any anomaly (to check for outgoing international calls).

"First time we have issued such advisory externally. Internally, we keep on informing our subscribers about such fraudulent activities. It is must now keeping in view of the expansion of telecom services in rural area, as the people living in rural part of the country are prone to such acts" said a Bharti Airtel spokesperson.

He said that problem is not limited to Bharti Airtel subscribers but with across the industry.

akhileshs@cybermedia.co.in