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We are receiving more and more WhatsApp messages or calls from unknown numbers. There is currently an increasing number of contacts with the dialing code +255 or 00255. Which country does this dialing code come from, and how should you react if such numbers in Messenger contact you?
The dialling code +255 belongs to Tanzania. If you have no connection to this country, whether through friends, family, or business partners, be careful when receiving messages or calls from numbers with this dialing code.
Area code +255: scams on WhatsApp
Various scams are in circulation on WhatsApp. Your own phone number can fall into the hands of fraudsters, whether through data leaks or your own misbehavior, such as taking part in dubious competitions. This can lead to you suddenly being contacted by unknown numbers with the dialing code +255. If you receive messages or calls via WhatsApp from Tanzania, there are usually scams behind them. This could happen:
- A common scam is the “family member trick.” Fraudsters pretend to be family members and ask for money under various pretexts, for example, for alleged emergencies or urgent payments. Be careful with such requests and verify the identity of the supposed family member by using alternative contact options.
- Fraudulent job offers can also be sent via WhatsApp. The scammers try to obtain personal data or persuade users to make payments supposedly required to process the job offer. Serious job offers are not usually communicated via WhatsApp, especially those from abroad. Be suspicious of tempting offers.
・Scammers occasionally use WhatsApp messages to threaten consequences to force payments. For example, they claim to have sensitive information or expose photos and demand money to prevent their alleged publication. In most cases, however, these are empty threats, and you should not respond to such demands.
WhatsApp calls from Tanzania: This could also be behind them
Caution is advised with unknown calls from Tanzania or other countries. They could be so-called “ping calls”, in which criminals ring briefly to arouse the caller’s curiosity. If you call back, you may incur high charges that benefit the fraudsters.
How to protect yourself
Protect yourself from unknown callers and block such contacts via WhatsApp or conventional calls. With WhatsApp, for example, you can restrict unknown people from contacting you by phone:
- Tap on the settings to open the options.
- Go to the “Privacy” section.
- Activate the “Block calls from unknown people” function.
If you have already replied to WhatsApp messages, there are no initial costs, as WhatsApp calls to and from abroad are free. However, check your bills carefully if you have shared personal information or made unknown calls via your mobile network. If there are any suspicious charges, inform your mobile phone provider of the situation. It is also advisable to inform your bank and, if necessary, monitor your accounts to detect unauthorized transactions.
Such scams are not only limited to numbers with the +255 area code but can occur with almost all international and Austrian area codes. So always be alert if you are contacted by unknown numbers with dialing codes such as +62, +234, +98, and so on, and don’t get involved in unnecessary calls.
- source: giga.de/picture: pixabay.com
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