Claim: WhatsApp message claims some codes can be used to check if a user’s call is being forwarded or not and stop it.
TRUE. Our findings show this code is true and actually performs the functions claimed in this viral message.
Full Text
On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, a message with the claim that scammers are diverting or forwarding people’s phone calls was shared on WhatsApp. Users were advised to dial a code to check this and stop it.
The message notes that the code *#62# would show if a user’s call is being forwarded to another number or not while the code ##002# cancels this or deactivates it.
This message was shared by another WhatsApp user, naming MTN, Glo and Airtel as culprits of this act.
Different versions of this message was shared with DUBAWA for verification, so we looked into it.
Verification
A keyword search led to a breakdown of how to deactivate call divert or forwarding by Calcare. This article by Calcare also explained how a user can tell if their call is being forwarded.
We reached out to the named telecommunication companies (MTN, GLO, and Airtel) via email and direct message on Twitter but only GLO responded.
GLO is its response via Twitter, said this is true as *#62# is the code to check call diverts, otherwise known as call forwarding, while ##002# is the code to check to cancel it.
“*#62# is the code to check call diverts, otherwise known as call forwarding, while ##002# is the code to check to cancel it,” the message reads.
Our researcher who is an Airtel user also tried the codes to see what it entails. Dialing the first code showed some of the researcher’s calls were being forwarded.
The researcher therefore went ahead to dial the second code said to be for deactivation.
After dialling the deactivation code, the researcher dialled the first code again to see if there was any change or difference, and the status of every call now showed disabled.
Technology expert and CEO Reni, Ore Afolayan, said the code is true and safe to dial.
“Oh yes it is safe,” he said
Conclusion
Our findings show this code is true and actually performs the functions claimed in this viral message.
It didn’t work. It is still showing forward to an unknown number.
T