Quick Answers
There are a few common reasons why you may be receiving calls from India:
- Scams – India is a major source of scam calls. These include tech support scams, IRS scams, etc.
- Outsourcing – Many companies outsource call centers to India. You may get legitimate calls from banks, insurance companies, etc. from numbers in India.
- Wrong numbers – With over 1.3 billion people, sometimes people in India misdial numbers and call you by mistake.
- Family and friends – If you have family or friends living in or visiting India, they may call you from an Indian number.
The best way to identify if a call from India is legitimate or not is to never give out personal information like passwords or credit card numbers over the phone. Hang up and call back the company directly using an official number to verify any suspicious calls.
The Rise of Scam Calls from India
India has become a global hub for scam calls and robocalls over the last decade. Some key reasons for this include:
Large English-Speaking Population
India has one of the largest English-speaking populations in the world, second only to the United States. This makes it easy for scammers to communicate with English-speaking targets in countries like the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.
Advanced Technology
India has a skilled technology workforce that allows complex phone and computer systems to be set up to support scam call centers. Automatic dialing, caller ID spoofing, and advanced social engineering techniques can be implemented effectively.
Low Labor Costs
Labor costs in India are much lower compared to developed countries. Scammers can hire large teams of operators cheaply to make millions of calls per day to numbers globally.
Lax Law Enforcement
Despite efforts by the Indian government, law enforcement has struggled to crack down on scam call centers that often operate illegally or change names to avoid detection. Weak cybercrime laws also make prosecutions rare.
This combination of factors has fueled the rise of Indian scam call centers extorting millions of dollars from victims worldwide. Common Indian scams include:
- Tech support scams
- IRS and immigration scams
- Loan and debt collection scams
- Romance scams
- Amazon and ecommerce scams
- Banking and financial scams
How to Identify and Avoid Scam Calls from India
Here are some tips to recognize and avoid scams calls originating from India:
Be wary of unsolicited calls
If you receive an unexpected call from an Indian number, be cautious as it could be a scam. Legitimate businesses will rarely make unprompted calls to you.
Watch for caller ID spoofing
Scammers often fake caller IDs to appear they are calling locally when they are actually calling from abroad. Calls can show fake numbers with your area code and local exchange.
Don’t answer calls from unknown Indian numbers
Let unknown calls from Indian numbers go to voicemail. Scammers often hang up after one ring to try calling again later. Don’t call back missed calls as they can result in expensive international charges.
Ask for credentials
If you do answer an Indian call, never provide personal information. Ask the caller for their name, company details, credentials, and reason for calling to assess if it could be legitimate.
Hang up on suspicious calls
End the call if you detect red flags like urgent threats, requests for sensitive data, demands for immediate payment, or high-pressure sales tactics. These are all telltale signs of Indian scam calls.
Block unwanted Indian numbers
Use call blocking tools from your phone carrier or a third party app to block unwanted international calls. This prevents repeat calls from the same scam numbers.
Report scam callers
Notify relevant authorities about persistent scam calls from India. In the US, you can report numbers to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or by phone.
Register on the Do Not Call list
Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unsolicited calls. While scammers may not follow this list, it can help reduce legitimate telemarketing calls.
Why Do Indian Call Centers Call on Behalf of Companies?
Many legitimate customer service and sales calls also originate from call centers in India. Here’s why companies outsource these operations:
Significant Cost Savings
Outsourcing telephone support and sales to India allows companies to reduce labor costs by up to 70% compared to domestic call centers.
| US call center cost per hour | $25-$35 |
| Indian call center cost per hour | $8-$15 |
English Language Skills
With a large English-speaking workforce, especially in cities like Bangalore and Delhi, Indian call centers can effectively handle US and UK-based customers.
Technical Expertise
India has skilled, educated workers including many engineering graduates ideal for technical support help desks.
Scalability
Large employee pools allow call centers in India to easily scale up support staff to meet changing demand.
Time Zone Alignment
The time zone overlap between India and the US/UK allows extended hours support for Western customers with minimal disruption.
As a result, many well-known brands across various industries have outsourced call center operations to India including:
- Banks – Citibank, Wells Fargo, HSBC
- Insurance – Aetna, Blue Cross, UnitedHealth, Geico
- Technology – Microsoft, HP, Amazon, Apple
- Retail – Walmart, Target, Sears, eBay
- Telecoms – Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Comcast
So receiving a call from India does not necessarily indicate a scam. With proper verification, it could be a legitimate customer service or sales call from a known company. However, always exercise caution sharing personal information over the phone.
Alternatives to Calling India Directly
If you need to contact a company’s India-based call center, you have options other than calling them directly:
Call US toll-free number
Many companies offer toll-free numbers you can call from the US or Canada to connect with their outsourced call centers. This avoids long distance charges.
Use call back service
Some companies offer call back services that allow you to request a call, avoiding international dialing.
Chat via website
Chat or messaging facilities on company websites may let you interact with offshore support through text.
Email support
Submit a support request via email to make inquiries and receive responses without international calls.
Social media
Reach out to brands via social media channels like Twitter and Facebook for assistance.
US-based call centers
Some companies maintain domestic call centers alongside outsourced ones that you can call directly.
Conclusion
Calls from India are often scams but sometimes legitimate outsourced support. Avoid giving personal details over the phone. Verify identities of callers before engaging. Use alternatives like chat services rather than calling directly if needed. With care, calls from India can usually be safely handled or ignored.