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Phone scams have become increasingly sophisticated and common, with fraudsters finding new ways to trick unsuspecting victims into divulging personal information.
This can open the door to sensitive data and, in the worst cases, allow unfettered access to your bank accounts.
Fortunately, you can take a few simple precautions to protect yourself from these fraudulent calls and keep your information safe.
‘Wangiri’ scam: a single call could cost you dearly
According to Dagens, one of the most common scams is the ‘Wangiri’ scam, where the scammer calls briefly and hangs up after the first ring.
This trick influences people’s curiosity or the expectation of an important message.
When the recipient sees the missed call, they may feel pressured to call back, which triggers the trap and can lead to high phone bills or the activation of costly services that drain the victim’s bank account.
Know dangerous numbers: Avoid calls from these area codes
Fraudsters often change their phone numbers to avoid detection. However, some international dialling codes should raise suspicion when you see them on your phone.
These prefixes include +255 (Tanzania), +371 (Latvia), +375 (Belarus), as well as +44 (United Kingdom), +53 (Cuba), +216 (Tunisia), +373 (Moldova) and +383 (Kosovo).
If you see a call from one of these numbers, you should ignore it immediately unless you specifically expect a call from one of these countries.
Scammers’ strategies: How scammers trap their victims
The calls often come at night or during working hours, when you are less likely to answer immediately. This increases the likelihood that you will call back later.
Sometimes, the scammers will message you to call back the same number.
If you do, they will try to keep you on the phone for as long as possible to rack up high charges.
How to avoid becoming a victim
The best way to protect yourself is to ignore these calls completely.
If you receive repeated calls from the same number, you can block them. However, be prepared for scammers to change numbers often to avoid being blocked. Therefore, always be wary of calls from unknown numbers and avoid calling them back.
In summary, by being aware of these scams and taking the necessary precautions, you can avoid becoming a victim and protect your personal information and finances.
- source: dagens.de/picture:
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