The Department of Telecom (DoT) has instructed telecom operators to halt USSD-based call forwarding starting April 15, urging them to offer the service through other means.
USSD, a feature enabling users to activate services by dialing specific codes, such as checking IMEI numbers or prepaid balances, will no longer support call forwarding after this date.
Temporary Suspension of USSD based Call Forwarding
This action is being taken as a deterrent to online fraud and crimes committed via mobile devices. The DoT brought attention to the abuse of USSD-based call forwarding, particularly the *401# service for unconditional call forwarding, in a notification that was released on March 28.
All licensees have to stop offering USSD-based call forwarding services by April 15, 2024, unless they receive an extension, in order to remedy this issue. After the deadline, subscribers who are now using this service must move to other ways in order to enable call forwarding.All licensees have to stop offering USSD-based call forwarding services by April 15, 2024, unless they receive an extension, in order to remedy this issue. After the deadline, subscribers who are now using this service must move to other ways in order to enable call forwarding.
Thieves trick people by pretending to be telecom provider customer care agents or technical support staff. In an attempt to fix alleged network problems, they trick consumers into dialing *401# and then a mobile number, which inadvertently triggers call forwarding to the fraudulent number.