This is How Phone Phishing Scams Try To Fool You

Telephone fraud is definitely not a new phenomenon, but the methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated. We have talked to an expert on how to avoid being fooled.

Mobile operators have their own large security environment that blocks hundreds of thousands of scams every year. As per security advisers and investigators of those firms.

– There is definitely no lack of ingenuity in the fraud industry. In order for the scam business to be profitable over time, they still have to adapt their methods. The attacks are continuously adjusted to the level of knowledge of the potential victims, while the scammers try to circumvent the technical security measures of the telecommunications operators.

The latter is far more difficult than manipulating people, so scam success is largely about how attentive we are when the scammer tries.

It may therefore be wise to know how the scammers operate.

The three most common scams – right now:

1. Local numbers enter into confidence

While we have gradually become more vigilant when calling from unknown, foreign numbers, the threshold is significantly lower when it comes to numbers starting with local country code.

During the summer, the security department of mobile companies registered that fraudsters have begun to imitate local numbers, with both nine and ten digits according to the country code.

In a busy day, you may not notice how many digits there are in the number. It starts with normal mobile number, so it’s safe to answer…

They receive daily inquiries from customers who report suspicious experiences with phone calls, text messages and emails from people pretending to be someone else. This is called “spoofing”.

– The scammers have started to abuse and spoof specific country phone numbers to a greater extent when they contact that country residents, both real and constructed numbers.

If your number gets spoofed, it is important to know that neither your mobile nor your number has been hacked. The scammers use software that allows them to pretend to call from a number that is not theirs. It also makes it very difficult to reveal the fraud to the person being contacted – before responding.

– It costs nothing to answer, but the potential for loss lies in what happens afterwards. Then the scammers will gladly try to clear you of personal information and card details.

Expert’s advice:

If you find that someone has misused your number – contact your mobile provider so they can often help you. by blocking foreign calls from your number. But it also means that you cannot call from abroad to your country, e.g. when on vacation. The vast majority of smartphones can also block numbers that are bothersome or unwanted. If you do not recognize the local number that is calling you – spend a few seconds looking at the number of digits before answering.

2. “Microsoft Scams”

This is a classic example of “phishing”, where the scammer “fishes” your personal information. By accessing your PC, the scammer tries to get you to download malware, pay for viruses you don’t need – and get both card numbers and login details for, for example, online banking.

Mobile operators daily prevent and handle fraud attempts.

Here are tips:

– If you experience or suspect fraud attempts via calls or SMS, you can notify your mobile operator.They have the opportunity to block unwanted international calls before being forwarded to specific mobile subscriptions.

Expert’s advice:

Neither Microsoft nor any other operating system vendor will contact you to request software downloads or provide sensitive information in this way. Therefore, in order to reveal this fraudulent method, it is important that as many people as possible know how it works. Knowledge is the most effective defense!

3. Interrupted calls pique curiosity

Have you ever been called from an unknown foreign phone number that only lets it ring once or twice before it goes silent? Then you may have been exposed to a scam called “wangiri”. It is Japanese and means that the call ends after just a ringtone.

The point is that you should not be able to answer, but be sufficiently curious to call back. It is only when you call back that the scam starts – the number you call back is an international high-tariff number with a high minute price.

As many as 10% who receive a “wangiri” call actually call back the missed call, so this is a very simple and profitable form of fraud.

– The international scammer uses a so-called call generator to call several thousand daily subscribers at once. Remember that the taximeter starts even if you do not hear someone answer at the other end, and it can be expensive in some cases, warns by security expert.

Expert’s advice:

Be aware of which numbers you call back. If you do not recognize the number, or do not expect to receive a call from the country in question, you should not call back – no matter how curious you are.

You can’t stop all the threats yourself
The difference between scams and other types of digital threats is that you can often prevent the scams yourself, while you need help to stop or limit everything else that can happen.

Therefore mobile operators offers a number of security services that make the digital life safer. One of these is Secure ID, a fraud prevention service that helps you in the event of ID theft. You will be notified immediately on your mobile if your personal data is being misplaced and will be assisted in case of any abuse.

A safer everyday life with Secure ID:

Have you ever worried about your personal data being abused or disseminated by others? If you have a Safe ID, you will receive notifications as soon as we find your personal information in error, and you will be assisted by abuse.

Secure ID means extra security for you – and the family!

How does Secure ID work?
Secure ID consists of three elements: ID monitoring, ID theft insurance and Internet erasure. Note that ID theft insurance starts automatically when ordering, while ID monitoring must be activated by registering at least one e-mail address. To make use of Web Delete, you must first create a case.

ID monitoring
The first step in reducing the risk of ID theft is ID monitoring. Most people use their email addresses as usernames on multiple websites. With ID monitoring, you are notified if secure ID system find your email address and login details in an unsafe place on the web. To be notified, you must first register which email addresses to monitor.

You can register up to 5 email addresses
The email addresses are registered and must be verified via email
When the emails are registered you will be notified if the email (often username / password) is for sale or misused online

ID theft insurance
Assures you help if you have been exposed to ID theft, so you get legal assistance and financial compensation for abuse and fraud. You also get help if someone has created a false profile with your information.

The ID theft insurance covers yourself, spouse / cohabitant and all children under the age of 20 living at the same address.

BrainBashers
With Online Delete, you get help removing unwanted content online. This applies to both things that are written about you and private images in the balance. You get legal assistance and a contact person who takes on the job of deleting photos and comments for you. You will also receive financial compensation if you need psychologist assistance and loss of salary income.

How to prevent data from spreading online

By using ID monitoring and responding to any alerts you receive, you can quickly respond and reduce the risk of someone misusing your data if it is spread on the Internet.
You are probably registered with several services on the internet, where you use your email address to log in. There may be security breaches in these services that cause your information to be disseminated online. If the ID monitoring finds security breaches, this may mean that your information is being misused by unauthorized persons.

Useful tips and advice – some simple precautions to follow online

• Use different passwords on different services and change passwords frequently
• Never share your personal data
• Never email bank / credit card details
• Never shop at online stores that do not have secure payment
• Lock your mailbox if possible
• Do not click links in emails from unknown senders, enter the address yourself in browser
• Keep track of transactions in your bank account
• Delete content on your mobile, PC or Mac before discarding or delivering it
• Be careful