A new cyber scam is spreading fast, and it starts with something most of us don’t suspect - a simple delivery call. Scammers pretend to be delivery agents and say there’s an issue with your package. To “fix” it, they ask you to dial a short code made of * and #.

That’s the trap. The moment you dial that USSD code, call forwarding gets activated silently. Your incoming calls - including bank OTPs, verification calls, and alerts - are redirected to the scammer’s number. Your phone looks normal, there’s no notification, and you won’t even realise what happened.

By the time you notice missed OTPs or suspicious transactions, the damage is often done. This scam works because it targets trust and urgency - “delivery issue,” “last attempt,” “confirm now.”

To stay safe, never dial any code shared by unknown callers, even if they sound genuine. If you suspect call forwarding, immediately disable it and report the incident. One careless dial can cost you everything.