*401* Call Forwarding Scam
This scam is designed to trick you into forwarding your calls and messages to a fraudulent number
There is no denying that it’s like the wild, wild web out there! Online scams are on the rise, with fraudsters using clever ways to trick people. One of the latest scams making the rounds is the ‘Call Forwarding Scam.’
This scam is designed to trick you into forwarding your calls and messages to a fraudulent number, potentially giving scammers access to your personal information.
In a recent viral video, a girl shared her experience with a fake delivery person who tried to trick her into activating the call-forwarding option on her mobile number. Luckily, she was cautious and didn’t fall for the scam.
As you can see in the video, a scammer contacted this girl, claiming that a delivery person was having trouble finding her address. Then the scammer said they’d give her the delivery person’s number and told her to dial *401* as a company extension code before calling. They made it sound like it was essential for the package to be delivered.
But the girl got suspicious. When she searched on the internet, she found that *401* is actually a call forwarding code. If you dial it, all your calls, messages, and important stuff like OTPs get redirected to the scammer’s number.
This is the modus operandi of ‘Call Forwarding Scam.
What Is A Call-Forwarding Scam?
Call forwarding means having your calls sent to another phone number. For example, if you’re busy and can’t answer your phone, you can set up call forwarding so that your calls go to your friend or colleague’s number instead. his way, you won’t miss important calls.
But when someone tricks you into forwarding your calls to their phone without you knowing – it is called a call-forwarding scam. This way, they access your calls, messages, or important information.
For example, someone pretending to be from your bank will call you to say, “We need to confirm your account. Please dial *401* to verify.”
Or some so-called customer service representative from a mobile company will tell you that your account has been hacked or there is some issue with your SIM card or your net speed will increase if you dial prefix code *401* with a number.
If you do it, they will secretly forward all your calls and texts to their phone. So, they can now see your messages and OTPs. This can be used to steal your money or personal information.
And that’s not the end of it. They can also set up a 2-factor authentication on other accounts which makes it harder to get access back.
How Not To Fall For This Scam?
To protect yourself from call-forwarding scams, it’s crucial to stay informed and vigilant.
Always ask for the caller’s name, organization, and contact information. Verify their authenticity before taking any action. You can go through their official website or customer service number to verify the call’s authenticity.
You should never enter special codes or reply to text messages if you don’t know or trust the source. If someone asks you to dial a code or send an SMS from your phone, be very wary and don’t do it. Avoid interacting with codes or messages from unfamiliar or suspicious sources.
Never give personal, money-related, or account info to a caller you didn’t expect. Scammers pretend to be trusted people from known organizations, but real ones won’t request your private details over the phone.
Scammers often create a sense of urgency. Take your time to confirm the sincerity of the call. Genuine issues can wait a few minutes for verification.
You can also use call-blocking apps or services to filter out potential scam calls.
Though scammers are getting creative and sophisticated, the more you know about these scams, the better you can protect yourself. Scammers use fear and deception to manipulate their targets. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and hang up. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
