Fraudulent schemes, particularly spam calls from the UK (+44 area code), are increasingly troubling. Scammers utilize pre-recorded messages to entice victims into job offers, often leading to identity theft or financial loss. They might also employ ping calls to incur high charges. To protect oneself, avoid answering suspicious calls, hang up on automated messages, and consider using call-blocking features or apps like tellows to prevent unwanted communications.
Every day, we face a multitude of fraudulent schemes that complicate our lives. It’s crucial to remain vigilant against threats such as phishing emails, the grandchild scam, and pesky spam calls. Among these, spam calls can be particularly frustrating.
Currently, many individuals are receiving calls from numbers that start with the area code +44, which can feel relentless. Behind this phone harassment are, predictably, scammers with nefarious goals. Their aim is to access your personal information and, in the worst-case scenario, engage in identity theft.
Emerging Scam from the UK
The +44 area code indicates these calls originate from the United Kingdom. If you pick up the phone, you’ll hear a pre-recorded message stating: ‘Hello, I want to talk to you about work. Add me on WhatsApp.’ Following this, the call ends abruptly. This tactic serves two potential purposes for the criminals involved.
One possibility is that they intend to scam you via WhatsApp using a job offer. The scammers present a seemingly lucrative opportunity, promising substantial earnings for simple tasks. The payment is claimed to be in cryptocurrency. However, the harsh reality is that you will never see that money, leaving you with wasted time and effort.
In some instances, these fraudsters may even concoct a scenario where they ask you for money, claiming it will be reimbursed as part of your salary. Their true interest lies in collecting your personal information.
Another tactic employed may involve what’s known as a ping call. The scammers hope that your curiosity will lead you to call them back, but this could result in hefty charges. Since Great Britain is no longer part of the EU following Brexit, calls to these numbers can become quite costly. The caller may attempt to prolong the conversation to further inflate your bill.
Tips for Safeguarding Yourself
Numbers like +447300287048, +447383072535, +447444468976, and +447307398680 are flagged as highly dangerous by the tellows platform. If you see any of these on your caller ID, it’s best not to answer. Similar fraudulent calls are also being reported from the Netherlands and Portugal.
In general, if you encounter an automated message when you answer a call, it’s wise to hang up immediately. Legitimate companies do not use pre-recorded messages to communicate with customers. If the call involves comparisons regarding services like electricity providers or banks, it’s a strong indicator of a scam attempt.
It’s also advisable to refrain from interacting with these calls. Even a simple ‘yes’ could have dire repercussions. Scammers may secretly record your voice and later use it against you to claim consent for a contract. Therefore, the most effective strategy for self-protection is to simply hang up.
To further shield yourself from spam calls, consider activating the ‘Smart Call’ feature available on Samsung devices. iPhone users also have the option to block unknown numbers.
Alternatively, you may want to download the tellows app, which provides automatic warnings and blocks unwanted calls. For landline protection, the tellows call protection tool for FRITZ!Box can be an excellent resource against spam calls.