Call forwarding scams are an increasingly common form of fraud that threaten both financial security and personal privacy. By misusing a legitimate phone feature, scammers can secretly redirect calls, intercept one-time passwords (OTPs), access bank communications, and even hijack WhatsApp and other accounts.
Understanding how these scams work is the first step toward protecting yourself.
How Call Forwarding Works
Call forwarding is a legitimate phone service that allows incoming calls to be redirected to another number. It is commonly used when someone is unavailable or traveling.
There are two main types of call forwarding:
1. Unconditional Call Forwarding
All incoming calls are forwarded to another number, regardless of whether your phone is busy or reachable. This is useful during travel or when using a temporary number.
2. Conditional Call Forwarding
Calls are forwarded only under specific conditions, such as:
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When your phone is busy
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When unanswered
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When out of network coverage
Although useful, this feature can be exploited by scammers if activated without your knowledge.
How Call Forwarding Scams Work
Call forwarding scams rely heavily on social engineering—manipulating victims into trusting the scammer and acting quickly.
1. Initiating Contact
Scammers first contact victims through:
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Phone calls, SMS, emails, or social media (also known as smishing)
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In-person interactions in public places like markets, bus stops, or railway stations
They often pretend to be customer care agents, bank representatives, or individuals facing an emergency.
2. Creating Urgency
To pressure the victim, scammers may claim:
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Your bank account is at risk
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Your phone has a technical problem
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You are eligible for a “special offer”
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A loved one is in trouble and needs urgent help
Urgency reduces rational thinking and increases compliance.
3. Gaining Access to Your Phone (In-Person Scams)
In face-to-face scams, fraudsters may:
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Ask to borrow your phone to make an urgent call
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Pretend to help dial a number while secretly changing call settings
4. Enabling Call Forwarding
Once trust is gained, scammers instruct victims to dial carrier-specific USSD codes, often starting with codes like *401#, followed by the scammer’s phone number.
They provide false explanations such as:
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“This will fix your network issue”
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“This is needed for verification”
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“This will activate a security feature”
In reality, this enables call forwarding to the scammer’s number.
5. Rerouting Calls
After activation, all incoming calls, including those from banks, credit card companies, and messaging platforms, are redirected to the scammer. The victim may not immediately realize that their calls are being intercepted.
6. Intercepting Sensitive Information
By receiving these calls, scammers impersonate the victim and obtain:
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OTPs
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Account numbers
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PINs
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Security verification codes
This can result in financial loss and complete account takeovers.
Identifying Call Forwarding Scams
Even though these scams are becoming more advanced, warning signs still exist:
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Service disruptions: Calls going straight to voicemail or delayed connections
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Unexplained charges: Sudden increases in your phone bill, especially international calls
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Unfamiliar numbers: Unknown numbers appearing in your call log
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Missed calls: People report they couldn’t reach you despite calls showing as connected
Check Call Forwarding Status
Dialing *#21# shows whether call forwarding is enabled or disabled on your device.
Preventing Call Forwarding Scams
You can significantly reduce your risk by following these precautions:
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Be wary of unsolicited requests: Legitimate organizations never ask you to dial codes or share sensitive details over calls.
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Verify independently: If warned about an account issue, hang up and contact the organization using official contact details.
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Never dial unknown codes: Treat any request to dial USSD codes as a red flag.
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Review settings regularly: Periodically check your call forwarding settings to ensure nothing is enabled without your consent.
How to Deactivate Call Forwarding
Note: Steps may vary slightly by device and carrier.
General Method
Many carriers allow deactivation by dialing:
You can also use *#21# to check current status.
Android Devices
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Open the Phone app
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Tap Settings (three dots)
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Go to Call Settings → Call Forwarding
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Disable all forwarding options
iPhone
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Go to Settings
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Tap Phone
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Select Call Forwarding
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Toggle it off
Conclusion
Call forwarding is a helpful feature—but in the wrong hands, it becomes a powerful tool for fraud. By recognizing the warning signs, refusing unsolicited instructions, and regularly checking your phone settings, you can protect yourself from financial loss and identity theft.
Stay alert, stay informed, and treat any unexpected request to dial a code or modify call settings as a serious warning sign.