Fact Check: No, '9969777888' Is Not Bengaluru & Telangana Police Women Helpline Number

Amid the outrage over the ever-increasing violence against women in the country and debate around safety, hundreds of WhatsApp messages are being forwarded with claims that the police have introduced ‘women safety helpline numbers’.

One such viral message asks women to share their vehicle number to a mobile number, and after that, the location of the vehicle will be tracked by the city police through the GPRS system.

“Bengaluru city police started a good service with a dedicated helpline for women, before boarding the taxi or auto, SMS the vehicle number to +919969777888. You will get an acknowledgement via SMS. The vehicle will be tracked via GPRS. Share with as many as you can…Help your sister, mom, your wife and female friends…,” the message reads.

Many people have also shared this particular message over the last few weeks on Facebook and Twitter.

Claim

Sending SMS to ‘9969777888’ allows the police to track the sender’s location using GPRS.

Fact Check

On December 3, both Hyderabad city police and Bengaluru city police through their official Twitter handle officially clarified that the information being spread about phone no. 9969777888 is completely fake. Bengaluru police also said that the police will take action against those who create and circulate such messages.

#FakeNews Circulating on #SocialMedia Regarding #Telangana Police Introduced a New Mobile Tracking Number (9969777888) While Travelling in Cabs & Autos it is is Fake News Don't Circulate it. pic.twitter.com/tPkqzuR1eX

— Hyderabad City Police (@hydcitypolice) December 3, 2019

#Fake message is floating on Whatsapp regarding this number as BCP’s Women Helpline. The number does not belong to BCP People are requested not to believe or share this fake message. Stringent action will be taken against those who create and spread fake messages on social media pic.twitter.com/nDedjqa0RG

— BengaluruCityPolice (@BlrCityPolice) December 3, 2019

Also after trying to access the number ‘9969777888’, we found out it is invalid.

conclusion

Hence, the claim made in the viral message staying that sending an SMS to 969777888 along with a mobile number will enable the state police to trace the location of the female traveller is fake.

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