SEBI Registered Entities To Use Phone Number '1600' To Boost Investor Protection
By adopting the '1600' number series, investors will be able to easily identify and attend calls from Sebi-regulated entities
Aiming to boost investor protection and curb financial fraud, markets regulator Sebi on Tuesday directed all its regulated and registered entities to use the '1600' phone number series for service and transactional voice calls to their customers.
This directive aims to enhance investor security by lowering the risk of fraud by exploitative entities that use regular 10-digit numbers to disguise their identity.
By adopting the '1600' number series, investors will be able to easily identify and attend calls from Sebi-regulated entities, reducing the chances of falling prey to financial scams.
"All regulated/registered entities are advised to only use the '1600' phone number series exclusively for service and transactional voice calls to their existing customers," SEBI said in a statement.
The regulator has also asked investors to remain vigilant and report any unsolicited commercial communications or suspected fraudulent activities. For instances like these, investors can file a Do Not Disturb complaint through their telecom service provider's app or website. They can also use the Trai DND app or call or SMS 1909.
This initiative aligns with Sebi's effort to create a safer financial ecosystem for investors, in collaboration with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
In cases of suspected fraud, investors are advised to report the matter to the Chakshu Platform of the Department of Telecommunications. If a fraud has already occurred, it should be reported to the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or through the official website www.cybercrime.gov.in.
(With Inputs From PTI).
