The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has initiated a new numbering framework aimed at curbing cyber fraud involving callers impersonating representatives of utility, courier and logistics companies. Under the new system, service and transactional calls from eligible entities in these sectors will use the dedicated ‘1601’ number series, making it easier for consumers to distinguish legitimate business calls from ordinary mobile numbers.
The new numbering framework will be introduced in phases. The first phase will cover electricity distribution companies, water utilities, city gas distributors, LPG distribution entities and other utility service providers. Courier companies, express logistics firms, parcel delivery providers, freight companies and other logistics service providers will also be covered.
Migration to be completed within 90 days
According to the Ministry of Communications, telecom service providers have been directed to complete the verification, onboarding and migration of eligible entities covered under Phase I within 90 days of the order.
The 1601 numbers will be allocated directly to eligible entities. Telecom operators will be required to verify the eligibility of companies before assigning the numbers.
TRAI said the distinct numbering identity is expected to help consumers recognise legitimate service and transactional calls. Cyber fraudsters frequently use ordinary 10-digit mobile numbers while posing as employees of electricity departments, gas agencies, courier companies and other service providers.
The regulator expects the new numbering system to strengthen consumer confidence in voice-based communications and make impersonation fraud more difficult.
Numbers to be issued directly to eligible entities
The 1601 series will not be allotted through intermediaries or aggregators. Telecom operators will verify the credentials of eligible entities before issuing the numbers.
Companies receiving 1601 numbers will also have to provide an undertaking that the numbers will be used exclusively for service and transactional voice calls. The series cannot be used for promotional or marketing calls.
Separate 1600 series already used by BFSI and government
TRAI has already adopted the 1600 series for service and transactional calls made by entities in the banking, financial services and insurance sector, as well as government organisations.
The 1601 series has been created separately for other sectors so that important financial communications can remain distinguishable from service and transactional calls made by utilities, courier companies and other businesses.
Framework to expand in phases
The first phase will focus on utilities, courier and logistics companies. The scope of the 1601 series may subsequently be expanded to cover other eligible entities making service and transactional calls.
The initiative comes amid increasing cases of fraud in which criminals impersonate representatives of legitimate organisations using ordinary mobile numbers. The dedicated numbering system is intended to provide consumers with an additional layer of identification when receiving business-related calls.
However, consumers will still need to exercise caution. Even when a call appears to originate from a recognised service number, users should never share OTPs, PINs, passwords, banking credentials or other sensitive information over the phone.
