TRAI’s New Rule: Say Goodbye to Fake Insurance Calls! All Companies Must Use 1600-Series Numbers by 2026

TRAI New Rule: In a significant move to safeguard consumers from the growing menace of financial fraud, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has announced a major new directive. This new order is set to change how insurance companies communicate with their customers, aiming to build a more secure and trustworthy calling ecosystem.

What is the New TRAI Mandate?

TRAI has mandated that all insurance companies and entities regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) must switch to a new, dedicated number series for all service and transactional voice calls. From February 15, 2026, these companies will be required to exclusively use numbers starting with the 1600-series to contact their customers.

This decision means that the days of receiving calls from random, 10-digit mobile numbers for insurance policy updates, premium reminders, or other services will soon be over. The migration to a unified number series is a crucial step towards creating a clear distinction between legitimate and fraudulent communication.

Why This Change is Crucial for Your Safety

The primary objective behind this landmark decision is to empower consumers and protect them from scams. TRAI has outlined several key benefits of this initiative:

• Easy Identification: When you see a call from a number beginning with ‘1600’, you will instantly recognise it as a genuine call from a verified organisation in the financial sector.
• Curbing Fraud: This will make it significantly harder for fraudsters to impersonate insurance agents or company representatives, thus curbing the rise in fake calls and financial scams.
• Reduced Unwanted Calls: By creating a specific channel for official communication, it will help filter out spam and unwanted promotional calls.
• Strengthened Consumer Trust: A standardised and identifiable calling number will enhance customer confidence and strengthen their trust in the insurance sector.

A Proven Strategy for a Safer Ecosystem

This is not the first time TRAI has implemented such a measure. The regulatory body has previously rolled out similar rules for organisations falling under the purview of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

Following the success in these sectors, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) officially approved the 1600-series for the entire Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector, as well as for government organisations. According to TRAI, around 570 organisations have already adopted this new series, with over 3,000 unique ‘1600’ numbers already issued. However, many companies still using old 10-digit numbers will now have to make the switch within the stipulated timeframe.

This systematic adoption of the 1600-series is expected to significantly bolster consumer safety and clamp down on financial frauds that are often perpetrated under the guise of a false identity.