DoT asks Telcos to deactivate USSD-based call forwarding service from April

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked telecom operators to deactivate USSD (unstructured supplementary service data)-based call forwarding service from April 15 in a bid to curb fraud and misuse.

"It has been decided by the competent authority that all licensees shall discontinue the existing USSD-based call forwarding services with effect from 15.04.2024 till further notice," DoT said in a recent notice.

This follows growing reports of fraudsters convincing mobile phone users to activate call forwarding to other phone numbers through the USSD service, so as to be able to steal confidential information, such as one-time password (OTP).


"All existing subscribers who have activated USSD-based call forwarding service may be asked to reactivate call forwarding services through alternative methods to ensure that such services are not activated without their notice," it said.

Mobile users avail of the USSD service by dialling codes on their keypads. It is often used for checking prepaid balance or the IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) number.

The service can also be used for activating unconditional call forwarding services, which DoT said is being misused for unwarranted activities.