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A surge in deceptive phone calls is putting consumers on alert again — despite a slight decline in overall spam activity. A new tactic, disguised as an innocent survey, is proving particularly dangerous.
Spam calls down — but the threat remains
According to data from Clever Dialer, 585,942 spam calls were registered in April — a 9.8% decrease compared to March. The drop is partly attributed to the Easter holidays. Still, the so‑called spam pressure remained high at 4.16, meaning users continued to receive more than four unwanted calls per month on average.
The usual suspects dominated again:
- Cost traps
- Fake lottery contracts
- Invented outstanding payments
But one trend stood out — a new, seemingly harmless survey scam.
The new tactic: Fake surveys to lure out a “Yes”
Instead of promising winnings or demanding payments, scammers now pose as callers conducting political or general surveys. This lowers suspicion — and that’s exactly the danger.
One affected person reported receiving a call from a Flensburg landline labeled as a “cost trap – survey.” The caller first asked:
- whether the call could be recorded,
- whether the person’s name was correct,
- whether they were satisfied with the government,
- and whether they owned property.
The pattern is clear: the scammers try to provoke a verbal “Yes.”
Such recordings can later be misused to fabricate contracts or authorizations.
Experts warn:
Never confirm your name, never allow recordings, and never answer with “Yes.”
If such questions arise, hang up immediately and block the number.
Old tricks still circulating
While the survey scam is new, familiar fraud attempts continue to spread.
Reports include:
- Calls claiming alleged outstanding payments
- Fake contract cancellations
- Supposed lottery subscriptions that must be “terminated” with a final payment
One user described how even their elderly mother was pressured with invented payment demands. Another reported being addressed by their family name — even though they had not given it — followed by a claim that something needed to be canceled. They hung up immediately.
Number cycling: Thousands of calls from shifting numbers
Clever Dialer also highlights Number Cycling — scammers using entire blocks of phone numbers with only the last digits changing.
The most active block in April:
+49 211 95589XXX with 61,538 registered calls.
How to protect yourself
The most important rule remains simple — and lifesaving:
- Never confirm personal data
- Never give your IBAN
- Never allow call recordings
- Never let yourself be drawn into conversation
- Hang up immediately if a caller asks whether your name is correct, whether you own something, or whether they may record the call
Phone scammers rely on hesitation.
The safest response is still the simplest: End the call.
- source: futurezone.com/picture: pixabay.com
