Who Called Me
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Spam calls in India range from annoying loan promotions to serious scams involving fake KYC requests, bank impersonation, fraudulent investments and threats of SIM disconnection. Fortunately, several official reporting channels can help. This guide explains when to use DND and 1909, the TRAI DND app, Chakshu, the 1930 cyber financial fraud helpline and cybercrime.gov.in—including the urgent steps to take if you have already sent money.
| Your situation | Official channel | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted promotional calls or SMS | 1909 / DND | Register commercial communication preferences |
| Promotions despite active DND | 1909 / TRAI DND app | File an unsolicited commercial communication complaint |
| Fake bank, KYC, courier or government call | Chakshu | Flag suspected fraudulent communication |
| Money stolen in a scam | 1930 and your bank | Urgent financial fraud reporting |
| Financial fraud or other cybercrime | cybercrime.gov.in | Submit an official cybercrime complaint |
These channels are complementary, not interchangeable. Blocking a number on your phone does not automatically file an official complaint.
Do Not Disturb (DND) is part of India's telecom consumer preference framework, administered under rules issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). It helps restrict unsolicited commercial communications, such as promotional calls about loans, credit cards, insurance, real estate and other products.
A traditionally used command for requesting full promotional blocking is:
Important: The FULLY BLOCK keyword is a longstanding method, but acceptance can vary with updated operator interfaces. If it is not accepted, call 1909 or use the official TRAI DND app to select your current full-blocking preference. Do not assume an SMS was successful without confirmation.
Call 1909 from your Indian mobile connection and follow the automated instructions to register or change your commercial communication preferences. You may be offered full or category-based restrictions.
Yes. The national DND framework covers Indian telecom service providers, including Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi) and BSNL. Operator-specific apps and menus may differ, but 1909 is the common DND short code.
TRAI's published complaint guidance uses a seven-day period following registration before a subscriber can complain about promotional communications received despite their preferences. DND is not guaranteed to stop illegal scam calls or all service-related communications.
If unsolicited commercial calls or messages continue after your DND registration becomes effective, report eligible incidents through 1909 or the TRAI DND app.
Record the caller's number or sender ID, the date and time, and what was advertised. Preserve the original message where possible. TRAI's published DND complaint guidance specifies that eligible unsolicited commercial communication complaints should be made within three days of receiving the communication.
For example, if a caller promotes a personal loan despite your full DND preference, provide the number, the date, the time and a short description of the promotional offer. Describe what happened accurately; a marketing call is not automatically proof of fraud.
The official TRAI DND app can help you manage commercial communication preferences and submit spam complaints from your smartphone.
Features and permissions may differ between Android and iOS. The app does not replace the urgent financial-fraud reporting process if money has been stolen.
Chakshu is a reporting facility within the Indian Department of Telecommunications' Sanchar Saathi platform. It lets users flag suspected fraudulent communications, including impersonation and phishing attempts.
Examples include fake KYC warnings, bank impersonation, parcel-related threats, fake police or telecom authority calls, fraudulent investment promotions and suspicious WhatsApp links. Report promptly and follow the live portal's submission requirements and applicable time windows.
If you transferred money, disclosed banking credentials or approved a suspicious UPI transaction, act immediately. Speed may improve the chances of intervention, although recovery is never guaranteed.
Have your transaction ID, payment amount, date, bank or payment provider, beneficiary details and a brief account of the incident ready. Follow the helpline's instructions and retain any acknowledgement reference.
Use the bank's official app, website or verified customer support number. Report the transaction as suspected fraud and request appropriate steps to protect your accounts, raise a dispute or investigate the payment. If your credentials were exposed, ask how to restrict compromised access.
Follow the relevant cybercrime reporting process and upload supporting evidence. Government instructions for complaints initiated through 1930 describe completing portal registration within 24 hours using the acknowledgement or reference received; follow the specific instructions given to you.
Preserve call logs, screenshots, messages, payment confirmations, UPI IDs, bank transaction references, suspicious URLs and any complaint numbers. Do not publicly post your OTPs, passwords, complete account numbers or sensitive identity documents.
Change affected passwords using a trusted device, sign out of suspicious sessions and contact your bank about exposed OTPs, UPI PINs or card details. If you installed a remote-access app at a caller's request, stop using that device for banking until it has been checked.
Be suspicious of anyone who calls offering to recover your stolen money for an upfront fee. Verify investigators and financial institutions through independently obtained official contact details.
Sometimes, but it depends on how the payment occurred, how quickly it was reported, whether the funds can be traced or restricted and the applicable bank rules. Unauthorised transactions and payments that a victim approved after deception may be treated differently. Ask your bank for a written decision if your claim is rejected and consider the applicable bank grievance and regulatory escalation process.
A caller threatens to freeze your account unless you share an OTP, PIN or banking password. Hang up and contact your bank independently.
Someone impersonates a telecom authority and threatens to disconnect your SIM or initiate criminal proceedings. Do not transfer money or follow instructions from an unsolicited caller.
Fraudsters impersonate police or investigators, demand secrecy and pressure victims to stay on a video call or move money. Treat these claims as major warning signs and verify any legal issue independently.
A caller claims a package in your name contains illegal goods and demands payment or personal details. Do not rely on a phone number or document supplied by the caller as proof.
Fraudsters promise guaranteed returns or easy earnings, sometimes showing fictional account balances and demanding deposits before withdrawals. Be wary of urgency, upfront payments and unrealistic promises.
On Android, open your Phone app and check for caller ID, spam protection or number-blocking options. On iPhone, you can block a number from the recent-calls information screen and review available unknown-caller screening settings. Exact menus depend on device and software version.
Searching a phone number online may reveal public reports describing repeated marketing calls or suspicious behaviour. However, user reports are not conclusive: numbers may be spoofed, reassigned or incorrectly identified. Avoid publicly accusing a named person of criminal conduct based only on an unfamiliar call.
Blocking a number is useful for reducing interruptions, but it does not automatically submit an official complaint. Use the relevant reporting service as well.
DND restricts certain commercial communications but cannot guarantee that illegal operators, spoofed numbers or criminals will respect those preferences. Some legitimate transactional and service communications may also fall outside promotional restrictions. Confirm your registration, report eligible promotional calls promptly and use Chakshu for suspected fraud.
Encourage relatives to never share OTPs, UPI PINs or passwords by phone. Save verified bank contact details, discuss common impersonation scripts and agree to check urgent payment demands with a trusted person before acting. If someone has already paid a scammer, focus immediately on the bank, 1930 and official reporting.
Use 1909 for DND registration and eligible unsolicited commercial communication complaints. For suspected fraudulent communications, use Chakshu. For cyber financial fraud involving lost money, call 1930.
FULLY BLOCK is a traditionally used SMS command for full DND registration. Confirm that your operator accepts it and follow its response. If it does not work, use the 1909 voice menu or the official TRAI DND app.
No. It primarily addresses unsolicited commercial communications. Criminals may disregard DND rules, so additional caution and reporting remain important.
Chakshu supports relevant suspicious WhatsApp communications where available in its reporting interface. If the incident caused financial loss, also report through 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in.
Contact the affected bank or provider immediately, secure the account and report any suspected financial fraud through 1930 and the cybercrime portal.
No. Device-level blocking stops or filters calls to your phone. Official reporting requires using the appropriate telecom or cybercrime reporting channel.
Recovery may be possible but is not guaranteed. Contact your bank or payment provider, call 1930 immediately and complete the relevant cybercrime complaint.
Use 1909 and TRAI DND for unwanted commercial communications, Chakshu for suspected fraudulent calls and messages, and 1930 plus cybercrime.gov.in when a scam has caused financial loss. Preserve evidence, verify callers independently and never share sensitive banking credentials in response to an unsolicited call.
Editorial note: This guide is informational, not legal or financial advice. Government forms, operator SMS commands, deadlines and app functionality can change. Always follow the current instructions on the linked official websites. Last editorial preparation: October 2026.
