📲 How to Detect SMS is Fake or Real ?
📘 How TRAI Classifies SMS Using Header Codes in India (DLT System)
✅ PART 1: How to Detect Fake or Real SMS
🧠 1. Check the Sender ID (Header Code)
Every legitimate promotional or transactional SMS in India is sent using a registered 6-character sender ID (Header).
Example:
VK-ICICIB- VK = Telecom circle code (explained below)
- ICICIB = Unique sender ID registered by ICICI Bank
🟢 Real SMS: Will use a registered and recognized ID
🔴 Fake SMS: Will come from random 10-digit mobile numbers or fake names like “AMZNOFFER”
📝 2. Understand the SMS Type by Content
| Type | What It Contains | From |
|---|---|---|
| Transactional | OTPs, Alerts, Banking Info | Only from Banks, Govt. |
| Promotional | Offers, Ads, Deals | Marketing Agencies |
| Service Implicit | Order Status, Service Reminders | Businesses |
| Service Explicit | Event Invites, Confirmed Subscriptions | With user consent |
Fake SMS usually:
- Use panic or urgency (“Your account blocked”)
- Have weird links (“click-hdfc-update.info”)
- Ask for sensitive data (“Please share your OTP”)
🔗 3. Check Suspicious Links or Numbers
Always scan suspicious URLs using:
Do not call back unknown numbers; they might be scam call centers or spoofed lines.
⚠️ 4. Grammatical & Design Red Flags
Improper English or spelling errors
- Bad formatting or emojis in official messages
- Example:
Your a/c will bloked. click here fast 👉 https://bit.ly/abc→ Fake
📬 5. Report Fake SMS SMS to 1909 (TRAI Spam Reporting)
- Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in
- Forward phishing to
[email protected]
📘 PART 2: How TRAI Detects & Classifies SMS Using DLT Codes
Since 2020, TRAI mandated Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for all bulk SMS in India. This ensures authentication, traceability, and user consent.
🔢 Understanding SMS Header Format:
An SMS typically comes as:
XY-ABCDEF
X = Telecom Operator Code
Y = Circle Code (Location)
ABCDEF = Header ID of the sender
🔍 Operator & Circle Codes:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Airtel |
| B | BSNL |
| C | Videocon |
| D | Tata |
| E | Reliance Jio |
| F | MTNL |
| G | Vodafone-Idea |
| Code | Circle |
|---|---|
| K | Kolkata |
| L | Delhi |
| M | Mumbai |
| N | North East |
| O | Orissa |
| P | Punjab |
| Q | Gujarat |
| R | Rajasthan |
| S | UP East |
| T | UP West |
| U | Tamil Nadu |
| V | Kerala |
| W | West Bengal |
| X | Assam |
| Y | Karnataka |
| Z | Andhra Pradesh |
Example:VM-HDFCBK
- V = Vodafone
- M = Mumbai
- HDFCBK = HDFC Bank (DLT Registered Header)
🛑 If a message is coming from a mobile number like +91 88201XXXXX and pretending to be a bank or brand, it’s definitely fake.
🛡️ DLT Platform Usage
All companies must:
- Register entity and sender IDs (on DLT portals like Airtel, Vodafone, Jio, BSNL)
- Get SMS content template approval
- Only use pre-approved content with consented users
✅ Every SMS sent legally can be verified back to:
- Sender ID
- Content template
- Registered business
🔐 How to Check or Validate Sender?
- Use any DLT partner portal like:
- 📍 https://smartping.live/entitysearch
- 📍 https://www.ucc.mtnl.net.in/dlt/
- You can search by header ID (like “ICICIB”) to check if it is officially registered.
🔎 Online Tools to Analyze SMS:
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| https://smsheader.com/ | Analyze SMS header (Unofficial Tool) |
| https://www.smsgatewayhub.com/dlt-database/sms-header-sender-id/ | DLT ID list |
| https://virustotal.com | Scan links |
| https://checkshorturl.com | Expand & check short URLs |
📌 Summary – Fake SMS Identification Checklist
| Check | Fake SMS? |
|---|---|
| Random mobile number | ✅ |
| No 6-char header ID | ✅ |
| Threatening/Urgent content | ✅ |
| Shortened or suspicious link | ✅ |
| Asking for OTP or password | ✅ |
| Poor grammar | ✅ |
| Header not found in DLT registry | ✅ |
🛡️ Cyber Security Help is Just a Call Away!
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