Potential Dangers: Are your devices exposed through illegal phone calls?
Headline: Warnings Issued Against Wangiri Scams as Fraudulent Calls Surge
In recent times, there has been a significant increase in the number of fraudulent calls, particularly those employing the "wangiri" scam, also known as the "one-ring" scam. These calls are designed to manipulate victims into returning costly calls, posing a financial risk primarily through premium-rate charges and sometimes leading to additional scams.
The Dangers of Wangiri Scams
The primary risks associated with these calls include financial charges, revenue generation for scammers, potential further scams or identity theft risks, and consumer confusion and annoyance. If the recipient calls back out of curiosity or by mistake, they are connected to a high-cost line, resulting in expensive per-minute charges often running into hundreds of dollars. Scammers receive a share of the money generated from these premium-rate calls, incentivizing mass calling campaigns. Some scams disguise themselves as urgent or trustworthy calls, using psychological pressure to extract sensitive information or payments.
Preventative Measures
To avoid falling victim to these scams, it's crucial not to interact with such calls and, if in doubt, hang up. Using an app that blocks fraudulent numbers is also recommended. Periodically reviewing which apps have access to the microphone, camera, or location is advised. Experts also suggest running an antivirus and resetting the phone to factory settings if necessary.
Common Prefixes and Calling Patterns
Commonly used international prefixes in these scams are +225 (Ivory Coast), +233 (Ghana), +355 (Albania), +216 (Tunisia), and +44 (UK). The scammers often use automated systems that transfer you to special tariff numbers, potentially generating high costs on your bill. In Spain, these cases have also been detected using special tariff phones like those starting with 803, 806, 807, or 905.
Misconceptions About Scams
It's important to note that cybercriminals cannot access your mobile device through a call; it is a hoax. Receiving a call does not allow anyone to access your camera or speaker. Enrique Serrano advises not answering the phone and saying "yes" during a call, as it can be used in a recording. Juan Carlos García states that interacting with calls asking to press a key during the conversation can pose several risks to cybersecurity and privacy.
Reporting Incidents
If you suspect you've been a victim of fraud or a cyberattack, report the incident to authorities such as the State Security Forces and Bodies or the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE). Personal training and awareness in cybersecurity are key to protecting your privacy and security, according to the director of cybersecurity at Bergé.
In summary, brief hang-up calls are an intentional tactic in wangiri fraud designed to manipulate victims into returning costly calls, posing a financial risk primarily through premium-rate charges and sometimes leading to additional scams. Stay vigilant, and remember: if a call seems suspicious, it's best to err on the side of caution and hang up.
- The average cost of a single minute on a high-cost line connected after returning a wangiri scam call can be significantly high, potentially amounting to hundreds of dollars, demonstrating the average financial risk associated with such cybersecurity threats.
- To maintain a strong cybersecurity posture, it's essential to be aware of common calling patterns used in scams, such as numbers starting with +225 (Ivory Coast), +233 (Ghana), and others, and implement preventative measures like using an app that blocks fraudulent numbers.
