In 2023, cybercrime increased in Spain by 25.5% about the previous year. According to the crime report published by the Ministry of the Interior last March, crimes were committed almost half a million cybercrimesof which 90% were cyber scams. These can arrive in several ways. The most common are through fraudulent emails and SMS, but also through phone calls in which you speak, unknowingly, with a person who is part of the criminal organization. These are the most difficult to detect because they are more worked and the majority of people They are not used to being lied to and deceived in such a direct way, which makes it easy to fall into the trap..
Regarding this type of scams, the telephone ones, the Organization of consumers and users, OCUhas pointed out What are some of the common phrases that allow you to identify that a call is, in reality, a hoax. Logically, not all of them are there, but those indicated by the OCU are phrases and tactics that should set off alarm bells if you hear them on a call.
A common procedure is for the scammer to report an alleged increase in rates from their telephone and Internet operator. Here the phrase is “we are going to raise your rate imminently”, something that no company informs its customers about over the phone. If they tell you, you can be sure that it is a scam attempt.
Related to this phrase is also the tactic of the two consecutive calls. In this type of scam, a first call informs the victim of an increase in the rate they pay to their current operator. After raising the problem, the solution comes with a second call in which a supposed competing company, the same scammers, presents a better offer. After the first contact, it is easier for the victim to fall for the deception and end up giving their data to the wrong person.
Another common way to deceive over the phone is through phishing or impersonation of trusted companies or institutions. Introduce yourself with a phrase like “Hello, we are from the OCU” or “this offer is endorsed by the OCU” It aims to take advantage of the credibility that the organization has among users, which may be the OCU, as in this example, or any other with a good reputation. You should know that the OCU does not endorse specific offers or make phone calls to consumers to convince them to switch to a certain product. If you hear her, hang up immediately.
Finallythe absence of clear identification by the caller is another clear indication of a scam. In commercial calls, the employees of the company that makes the contact are required by the General Telecommunications Law to clearly identify themselves, inform them of the commercial purpose of the call and the option to revoke consent to receive commercial calls. Again, if they don't comply, they are trying to trick you.