How do you report an unwanted spam call or SMS to your mobile operator?

[suhashini25]

Receiving unwanted spam calls and SMS messages is a common nuisance for mobile users worldwide, including in Bangladesh. Fortunately, mobile operators and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) provide mechanisms for subscribers to report such unsolicited commercial communications (UCC).

Here's how you can report unwanted spam calls or SMS to your mobile operator in Bangladesh:

1. Using the BTRC's Designated Reporting System (via SMS to 1909):
The most common and effective way to report spam calls and SMS in Bangladesh, as mandated by the BTRC, is by sending an SMS to the shortcode 1909. This system is designed to collect details about unsolicited commercial communications directly from the users.

For Spam SMS:

Copy the entire spam SMS content.
Create a new message.
Type the SMS content you copied.
Add a comma (,).
Type the sender's mobile number (the number from which you received the spam SMS).
Add a comma (,).
Type the date and time of receiving the SMS in dd/mm/yy format.
Send this message to 1909.
Example Format: [Spam SMS Content], [Sender's Number], [dd/mm/yy]
For Spam Calls:

Note down the spam caller's number.
Note down the date and time of the call.
Call 1909.
Follow the instructions provided by the automated voice romania phone number list system or customer service representative. You will typically be asked to provide the caller's number, the date and time of the call, and a brief description of the call (e.g., promotional offer, scam attempt).
Key Points for 1909 Reporting:

Timeliness: For complaints to be most effective and lead to action, it's generally recommended to report the spam within 3 days of receiving the call or SMS.
No Charge: Sending SMS to 1909 or calling 1909 for reporting is usually free of charge.
2. Activating "Do Not Disturb" (DND) Service:
While reporting helps identify spammers, you can also proactively stop receiving promotional calls and SMS from your specific mobile operator (and sometimes other registered telemarketers) by activating the "Do Not Disturb" (DND) service. The activation codes vary by operator:

Grameenphone: Dial *121*1101#
Robi/Airtel: Dial *7#
Banglalink: Dial *121*8*6#
Teletalk: Dial *155#
It usually takes a few hours to up to 3 calendar days for the DND service to activate. Note that DND primarily blocks promotional messages and calls from your own operator and registered telemarketers. It might not block all types of spam or scam calls/SMS from individual numbers or unregistered entities.

3. Blocking Numbers Directly on Your Smartphone:
For individual unwanted calls, you can also block the numbers directly on your smartphone:

iPhone: Go to your "Recents" in the Phone app, tap the "i" (info) icon next to the unwanted number, and then tap "Block this Caller."
Android: Open your Phone app, go to "Recents," tap the unwanted number, and look for an option to "Block" or "Block/report spam." You can often report it as spam directly from this menu.
4. Contacting Your Mobile Operator's Customer Service:
If the above methods don't seem to work, or if you have a particularly persistent or severe case of spam/scam, you can directly contact your mobile operator's customer service:

Grameenphone: Call 121 (from GP number) or 01701000121 (from other operators), use their Live Chat on their website, or email [email protected].
Robi/Airtel: Call 121 (from Robi/Airtel number) or +8801819400400 (from other operators), or email [email protected].
Banglalink: Call 121 (from Banglalink number) or +8801911304121 (from other operators).
Teletalk: Call 121 (from Teletalk number) or 01500121121 (from other operators).
When contacting customer service, be prepared to provide details such as the date and time of the spam, the sender's number, and the content of the message or nature of the call.

By utilizing these methods, consumers in Bangladesh can actively contribute to reducing the prevalence of unwanted spam calls and SMS.