Silent Scam Calls Used to Verify Active Phone Numbers, Cybersecurity Experts Warn  Many people have answered calls from unfamiliar numbers only to hear silence on the other end. In some cases, no one speaks at all. In others, there is a short delay before a caller finally responds. While this may appear to be a simple mistake or a wrong number, cybersecurity experts say these calls are often part of a deliberate scam tactic used to verify active phone numbers.  According to security specialists, these silent calls function as a form of automated reconnaissance. Fraud operations run large-scale calling systems that dial thousands of numbers to determine which ones belong to real people. When someone answers, the system confirms that the number is active and marks it as a potential target for future scams.  Keeper Security Chief Information Security Officer Shane Barney explained that such calls are rarely accidental. Instead, they help attackers filter out inactive numbers before investing more time and resources into scams. Verified contact information has value in modern cybercrime networks, where data about reachable individuals can be bought, sold, and reused across different fraud campaigns.  Once a phone number is confirmed as active, it may be used in several ways. In some cases, scammers follow up with phishing calls or messages designed to trick victims into revealing personal or financial information. In more advanced attacks, a verified phone number could be combined with leaked email addresses from data breaches or used in schemes such as SIM-swap fraud, where attackers attempt to gain control of a victim’s mobile account.  Another variation occurs when callers respond only after a brief pause. This delay is typically caused by predictive dialing systems that automatically place large volumes of calls. These systems detect when a human answers and then route the call to a live operator. The short silence represents the time it takes for the system to transfer the connection.  Some people also worry that speaking during these calls could allow scammers to clone their voice using artificial intelligence. While voice cloning technology exists, experts say creating a convincing replica generally requires longer and clearer audio samples than a brief greeting.  However, voice cloning could still become part of larger scams if criminals already possess other personal details about a victim. Security professionals recommend simple precautions when receiving suspicious calls. If an unknown number produces silence, hanging up immediately is usually the safest option.  Another tactic is answering without speaking, which prevents automated systems from detecting a human voice. Spam-filtering tools can also help reduce nuisance calls. Applications such as Truecaller, RoboKiller, and Hiya identify numbers previously reported as spam. However, experts caution that no filtering system is perfect because scammers frequently change phone numbers.  Ultimately, while call-blocking tools can reduce the volume of unwanted calls, maintaining strong account security and being cautious with unknown callers remain the most effective ways to avoid phone-based scams.

Silent Scam Calls Used to Verify Active Phone Numbers, Cybersecurity Experts Warn #blockscamcalls #callscams #CyberPhishing

TRAI Approves Caller Name Display Feature to Curb Spam and Fraud Calls  The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has officially approved a long-awaited proposal from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to introduce a feature that will display the caller’s name by default on the receiver’s phone screen. Known as the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) feature, this move is aimed at improving transparency in phone communications, curbing the growing menace of spam calls, and preventing fraudulent phone-based scams across the country.  Until now, smartphone users in India have relied heavily on third-party applications such as Truecaller and Bharat Caller ID for identifying incoming calls. However, these apps often depend on user-generated databases and unverified information, which may not always be accurate. TRAI’s newly approved system will rely entirely on verified details gathered during the SIM registration process, ensuring that the name displayed is authentic and directly linked to the caller’s government-verified identity.  According to the telecom regulator, the CNAP feature will be automatically activated for all subscribers across India, though users will retain the option to opt out by contacting their telecom service provider. TRAI explained that the feature will function as a supplementary service integrated with basic telecom offerings rather than as a standalone service. Every telecom operator will be required to maintain a Calling Name (CNAM) database, which will map subscribers’ verified names to their registered mobile numbers.  When a call is placed, the receiving network will search this CNAM database through the Local Number Portability Database (LNPD) and retrieve the verified caller’s name in real-time. This name will then appear on the recipient’s screen, allowing users to make informed decisions about whether to answer the call. The mechanism aims to replicate the caller ID functionality offered by third-party apps, but with government-mandated accuracy and accountability.  Before final approval, the DoT conducted pilot tests of the CNAP system across select cities using 4G and 5G networks. The trials revealed several implementation challenges, including software compatibility issues and the need for network system upgrades. As a result, the initial testing was primarily focused on packet-switched networks, which are more commonly used for mobile data transmission than circuit-switched voice networks.   Industry analysts believe the introduction of CNAP could significantly enhance consumer trust and reshape how users interact with phone calls. By reducing reliance on unregulated third-party applications, the feature could also help improve data privacy and limit exposure to malicious data harvesting. Additionally, verified caller identification is expected to reduce incidents of spam calls, phishing attempts, and impersonation scams that have increasingly plagued Indian users in recent years.   While TRAI has not announced an official rollout date, telecom operators have reportedly begun upgrading their systems and databases to accommodate the CNAP infrastructure. The rollout is expected to be gradual, starting with major telecom circles before expanding nationwide in the coming months. Once implemented, CNAP could become a major step forward in digital trust and consumer protection within India’s rapidly growing telecommunications ecosystem.  By linking phone communication with verified identities, TRAI’s caller name display feature represents a significant shift toward a safer and more transparent mobile experience. It underscores the regulator’s ongoing efforts to safeguard users against fraudulent activities while promoting accountability within India’s telecom sector.

TRAI Approves Caller Name Display Feature to Curb Spam and Fraud Calls #blockscamcalls #callscams #CallerIdentity

Bengaluru Woman Loses ₹2 Lakh to Sophisticated IVR-Based Cyber Scam  Cyber fraud continues to evolve, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated techniques to deceive victims. In a recent case from Bengaluru, a woman lost ₹2 lakh after receiving a fraudulent automated call that mimicked her bank’s Interactive Voice…

Bengaluru Woman Loses ₹2 Lakh to Sophisticated IVR-Based Cyber Scam #Bengaluru #callscams #CyberFraud