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“Since 1 March, we have registered 250 complaints about fraudulent calls from the UK in the number misuse reporting center. This is a very high increase within a very short period of time and leads to the conclusion that the number of unreported cases is significantly higher,” says Dr. Klaus M. Steinmaurer, Managing Director of RTR for Telecommunications and Post. His tip: “If the numbers of calls begin with +44, you should ask yourself whether you are actually expecting a call from the UK. If not, don’t even pick up the phone!” A 5-minute reader also reports a suspicious number: “It seemed very strange to me, so I didn’t pick up the phone. I then discovered that there is currently an increase in scam calls from the UK.”
Data theft via WhatsApp messages
According to RTR, many calls follow the same pattern: A female computer voice pretends to be a job recruiter and asks to save the displayed +44 number in WhatsApp. “On the one hand, it is free for the fraudsters to communicate with the selected victims via chat. Secondly, the chances of being taken by surprise and getting hold of personal data are certainly very high. We all know how quickly people react to chat messages – very often without thinking – and are likely to hand over their data,” explains Steinmaurer.
Why are these calls now coming from the UK?
“Thanks to the so-called anti-spoofing regulation that we have issued, there have been no scam calls with fake Austrian telephone numbers in Austria since the turn of the year. This is why fraudsters increasingly use other area codes,” Steinmaurer concludes.
How to protect yourself from scam calls:
Be suspicious of unexpected calls from abroad
Do not save any unknown numbers in WhatsApp
Report suspicious calls and text messages at www.rufnummernmissbrauch.at
Frequently asked questions
Why are there currently so many scam calls from the UK?
The new anti-spoofing regulation in Austria prevents scam calls with fake Austrian numbers. This is why offenders switch to foreign prefixes such as +44 (Great Britain).
What should I do if I receive a call from an unknown +44 number?
If you are not expecting a call from Great Britain, the RTR advises “don’t pick up the phone at all!”. Automated voices or requests to save the number in WhatsApp are particularly suspicious.
Why do scammers ask you to save your number in WhatsApp?
This allows them to communicate with the victim for free and gives them a better chance of obtaining personal data. Many people react quickly and carelessly to messages – exactly what the perpetrators are banking on.
How can I protect myself from such scams?
Be suspicious of unexpected calls from abroad
Do not save any unknown numbers in WhatsApp
Report suspicious calls and text messages to www.rufnummernmissbrauch.at
What happens if I report such a call?
RTR analyzes reported cases and can have fraudulent numbers blocked. In this way, the public is warned of new scams at an early stage.
- source: 5minuten.at/picture: rtr
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