Have you ever received a call from an unknown number that hangs up after a few seconds without having said anything? Although at first glance it may seem like a mistake or something harmless, you could be the target of one of the most common and dangerous telephone scams of the moment: wangiri. This technique, which takes its name from the Japanese and means “call and hang up”, has evolved to become a global problem. In this article, we explain what it is and what measures to take to avoid falling into this trap.
The rise of telephone scams
Phone call scams are not new, but in recent years they have gained sophistication and scope. This phenomenon does not only affect Spain, but more and more people around the world are victims of these deceptive tactics.
Through this scam, criminals make calls from international numbers that usually have extremely high rates. These calls end quickly, with the goal of the person calling back. Once you dial the number, the fraud is activated: whoever answers tries to keep you on the line as long as possible, accumulating additional charges on your telephone bill. The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) warns that These are numbers that do not fall within the unlimited calling rates included by operators.
In some cases, these calls can be confused with telemarketing, as both involve unknown numbers. However, in the case of wangirithe only purpose is to generate economic losses for the recipient of the call.
How can you protect yourself?
Avoid being a victim of wangiri requires caution and knowledge. Here we leave you some practical recommendations:
1. Do not return unknown calls:
If you see a number you don’t recognize, especially if it’s from abroad, avoid dialing it back. If it is important, the person will try to contact you again.
2. Block suspicious numbers:
If you receive a call from an unknown prefix, use your phone’s options to block it. You can also do it manually if you detect that the number is recurring.
3. Use anti-spam applications:
Tools like truecaller or similar are very useful. These apps identify and alert you about numbers previously reported as suspicious, helping you decide whether to answer or ignore a call. You can also search for the number that called you on Google and see if there are already users who have reported that it may be a fraudulent phone number.
4. Check lists of suspicious prefixes:
Familiarize yourself with the area codes often used by scammers. Although not all international calls are fraudulent, some prefixes are particularly common in these scams.
On the other hand, if you have been a victim of the scam wangiri or any other type of computer fraud, you have the possibility of filing a complaint with the State Security Forces and Bodies at any police station or with the National Cybersecurity Institute (Incibe), according to the OCU procedure.
International codes most used in the wangiri
These are some of the prefixes that are most associated with this scam and that you should pay special attention to not return the call when you receive a call from the following countries:
- +375 (Belarus)
- +53 (Cuba)
- +33 (France)
- +383 (Kosovo)
- +371 (Latvia)
- +218 (Libya)
- +370 (Lithuania)
- +373 (Moldova)
- +44 (United Kingdom)
- +381 (Serbia)
- +27 (South Africa)
- +255 (Tanzania)
- +216 (Tunisia)
- +563 (Valparaiso)
- +678 (Vanuatu)
It is important to remember that not all calls from these prefixes are fraudulent, but if you don’t know anyone in these countries, it is better to avoid answering or calling back.
The importance of prevention
Criminals who operate with wangiri They depend on the lack of information and the impulses of the victims to achieve their goal. That’s why, Knowing about this scam and sharing this information with family and friends is essential to reduce its impact.
Although authorities and telecommunications companies are constantly working to combat these practices, the best defense will always be prevention. Stay alert, use tools that help you filter calls and, above all, Be wary of unknown numbers trying to contact you, especially foreigners.
Protect you from wangiri It’s in your hands. Don’t let curiosity or ignorance turn you into the next victim.