Insurers and insurance intermediaries must now use 1600-series numbers for service and transactional calls, giving customers a clearer way to identify suspicious calls.
A call claiming to be from your insurer but arriving from an ordinary mobile number should now raise caution. Under TRAI’s mandatory 1600-series direction, entities regulated by IRDAI had to shift all service and transactional voice calls to 1600-series numbers by February 15, 2026.
The rule covers insurers and insurance intermediaries. TRAI introduced the dedicated series to reduce impersonation fraud and help consumers distinguish genuine financial communications from calls made through regular ten-digit numbers. The scale of suspicious financial communication is substantial. In 2025, citizens submitted 1,06,483 reports to Chakshu under the KYC and payment fraud category.
TRAI has also introduced 1601 in August 2026 for service and transactional calls from sectors outside BFSI and government, including utilities, couriers and logistics.
Three insurance scam scripts to hang up on
Scammers often create urgency or promise money that requires an immediate payment. IRDAI has repeatedly warned consumers about spurious calls and fictitious insurance offers.
- “Your policy bonus is ready. Pay a processing fee first.” IRDAI says it does not announce bonuses or ask policyholders to pay money to release them.
- “Your policy or KYC will expire today. Share the OTP to keep it active.” Do not share an OTP, PIN, password or card details with an unsolicited caller. IRDAI’s cyber-safety guidance specifically warns policyholders against sharing passwords or OTPs.
- “You must buy a new policy to receive your old policy’s maturity amount.” IRDAI has recorded complaints involving callers who claimed that buying another policy was necessary to receive bonuses, maturity proceeds or other benefits.
Verify before you pay
If an insurance caller asks for money or sensitive information, stop the call and verify independently.
- Check whether a service or transactional call comes from a 1600-series number.
- Do not use a phone number, payment link or website supplied only by the caller.
- Visit the insurer’s official website or app and use the published customer-care number.
- Check your policy number, premium due date and payment status directly with the insurer.
- Never share an OTP, PIN, CVV, password or screen-sharing access during an unsolicited call.
- Make premium payments only through payment channels listed by your insurer.
Also read: What Is Insurance Mis-selling?
Where should you report a suspicious insurance call?
If you received a suspicious call, SMS or WhatsApp message, report it through Chakshu on the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi service. Chakshu accepts reports of suspected fraud communications intended to cause financial or cyber fraud.
If money has already been transferred or you have become a victim of cyber financial fraud, call 1930 immediately. You can also file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
If an insurance call or policy offer leaves you unsure about what is genuine, verify the details before paying or sharing personal information. Talk to a MyRupia insurance expert for independent guidance on your policy, coverage or next steps.
Disclaimer: This MyRupia article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available government, regulatory and industry sources. It should not be treated as investment, financial, tax, insurance, or legal advice. Information, examples, market data, and expert views mentioned in the article may change over time and should not be considered a recommendation to buy, sell, invest in, or surrender any financial product. Readers should evaluate their individual circumstances and consult a qualified financial professional before making decisions.