A call comes in, sometimes from someone posing as network support, asking you to dial a short code "to fix a network issue" or "activate a free service." It's just a few characters, starting with a star or hash symbol. It feels like a technical formality — until you realize that code just handed your incoming calls to someone else.
1. Never dial a code given by an unsolicited caller
Legitimate network features don't require a stranger to call you and walk you through dialing a code. If someone you didn't contact first asks you to dial anything starting with * or #, treat that as a serious warning sign.
2. Understand what the scam is actually trying to do
Certain codes silently activate unconditional call forwarding to another number. Once active, calls meant for you — including automated OTP verification calls used by banks and other services — can be redirected to the scammer instead.
3. Be suspicious of "free service" or "network fix" framing
Scammers often disguise this request as something helpful — unlocking a free feature, fixing a signal issue, or completing a routine "network upgrade." The actual instruction, dialing a forwarding code, is the same regardless of the story around it.
4. Check whether forwarding is active if anything feels off
If you're missing expected calls or OTP verification calls, dial your carrier's standard forwarding-status or deactivation code, or contact customer care to check whether call forwarding is active on your line without your knowledge.
5. Deactivate forwarding immediately if you dialed a code you shouldn't have
If you've already dialed a code given to you by a suspicious caller, dial your carrier's deactivation code or contact them directly to confirm forwarding is off, and watch your accounts closely for anything unusual afterward.
A quick checklist before you dial any code someone gives you
- Did I contact this caller first, or did they contact me?
- Are they asking me to dial something starting with * or #?
- Is it framed as a free upgrade or urgent network fix?
- Have I missed any expected calls or OTPs recently?
- Could I confirm this request directly with my carrier instead?
Any "yes" among the first three is reason enough to hang up and verify independently.
Conclusion
Call forwarding is a genuine, useful telecom feature — the scam isn't in the technology, it's in tricking you into activating it for someone else's benefit. Knowing that legitimate requests never come from an unsolicited caller is enough to shut this one down.
This scam is closely related to SIM-based account takeovers — our guide on checking a SIM card upgrade message covers a similar mechanism from a different angle.
Got a suspicious call or code request you want a second opinion on? Paste the details into our free checker for a quick first read.
Frequently asked questions
What is a call forwarding code, exactly?
It's a short sequence starting with * or #, dialed on a phone, that tells the network to redirect incoming calls to another number. It's a legitimate telecom feature misused in this scam.
How does dialing a code let someone steal my calls?
Certain codes activate unconditional call forwarding. If you're tricked into dialing one that forwards your calls to the scammer's number, your incoming OTP calls and messages can be redirected to them instead of you.
Would I notice if my calls were being forwarded?
Not always immediately — forwarded calls simply stop reaching your phone, which can be easy to miss until you notice you're not receiving expected calls or OTP verification calls.
How do I turn off call forwarding if I think it's been activated?
Dial your carrier's standard deactivation code (commonly ##002# on many networks) or contact your carrier's customer care to confirm and disable any active call forwarding on your line.
Further reading
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