Insurance regulator IRDAI has directed insurers to adopt the 1600-number series for all service and transactional voice calls made by them to consumers by February 15 or face action.

Any complaint of unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) against IRDAI regulated entities not complying will attract action as per regulatory provisions of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) applicable to unregistered telemarketers.

Additionally, they will be liable to face action as considered appropriate by the IRDAI, it said in a circular to all insurers. TRAI had mandated adoption of the 1600-series as a measure to curb UCC, prevent impersonation based frauds and enhance consumer trust.

No service or transactional voice calls should be initiated from any number other than those allocated under the 1600-series after February 15 irrespective of explicit or inferred customer consent, IRDAI said, directing the insurers to ensure strict compliance as well as submit status reports.