Lately, we have been getting more reports of so-called robocalls again. A robocall is an automatically generated telephone call. When you are called by a robocall, you hear a pre-recorded message or a robocall voice. You will be asked to dial a number to continue. Never respond to such messages. It is an attempt to get your details and then scam you.
Robocalls can be used by companies in campaigns to their customers. Unfortunately, robocalls are mostly used by scammers. You get a call that appears to come from a bank, the police or a government agency that wants to alert you. Then your details are requested and you can be scammed.
Recent examples
This type of scam is not new, but reemerges at regular intervals. Several scenarios are currently circulating.
You get a call from someone pretending to be an employee of your bank or PayPal. It is not a real person but an automated message. The voice asks if you have just transferred an amount of (fictitious) €600. If not, press1, if so press 2.
If you dial either number, you will get a person on the line giving you instructions. In reality, the scammer will now trick you into transferring an amount to his account or even accessing your account or PayPal account.
In another scenario, it looks like you get a call from a (police) service claiming there is a problem with your ID or driving licence. You are therefore encouraged to press 1 or 2 to get an 'agent' on the line. Again, the only intention is to obtain and misuse ge data.
What to do if you get an incoming call from an unknown number?
- Never give out personal data, passwords, bank card codes or response codes.
- Disconnect as soon as possible if it is a suspicious call.
