If an unknown number with the area code +62 calls you on WhatsApp, you should not answer or call back. We’ll tell you what this means.
If unknown numbers call you on WhatsApp, you should ignore them. (Source: Microstock 77/nmcandre / depositphotos.com/ Montage: Netzwelt)
Your friends or family members can easily stay in touch with you via WhatsApp. However, if there is a data leak on the internet or you take part in a dubious competition, your number can also end up in the hands of strangers who will then write to you or call you via the messenger. Extreme caution is advised here, as it could be a nasty scam like the grandparent scam.
Foreign numbers are currently being used primarily for such fraud attempts, so they are no longer isolated cases. Recently, for example, numerous WhatsApp users received calls from India from a 091 number and were contacted by a 060 number from Malaysia. Now the cyber criminals are apparently using numbers from Indonesia with the area code +62
It is therefore better not to respond to such missed WhatsApp calls. But why do you have to be particularly vigilant with unknown foreign numbers and how can you protect yourself from telephone terror? We’ll tell you.
This is how the fraudsters operate
Such foreign numbers often hide criminals who use a so-called “ping call” method. You are only called for a very short time. The scammers hope that you will call back quickly out of curiosity. This technique uses both voice calls and video calls to give you a false sense of urgency.
What is particularly insidious about the Indonesian number 062 is that it is very similar to many German area codes. So if you don’t look closely and don’t notice the difference straight away, you might assume that someone from Heidelberg and the surrounding area is calling you with the Area code 06221 or from Mannheim and Ludwigshafen am Rhein with the Area code 0621 to be contacted.
Review on Reddit
The new WhatsApp scam is already causing a stir around the world. It is therefore not surprising that the topic is also being discussed on the Reddit platform. The user Itchy-Class-1954 was contacted several times by the scammers and shares his experiences.
The scammers write to you in Portuguese. (Source: Reddit / Itchy-Class-1954)
He also received a call from a +62 number and shortly afterwards even received a message. As shown in a screenshot, the senders asked in Portuguese whether he had a moment. The scammers also pretended to be Microsoft employees on the user’s phone.
What are the possible consequences?
If you call back the foreign numbers from Indonesia or India via WhatsApp, you will essentially not incur any charges as you are connected via the internet. However, if you call the dubious contacts via your regular phone provider, you may actually incur high charges which will be listed on your next phone bill.
But calling back via WhatsApp is also not advisable. There is a risk that the criminals will engage you in a conversation and collect further data about you. In the worst case, the fraudsters could use the call back to find out your identity by taking over your WhatsApp account. The criminals use call forwarding, which allows all your future calls and SMS to be sent to their number, thus gaining access to your personal data.
These scams are not only attempted via WhatsApp, but also on other messengers that you may use in order to lure as many users as possible into this trap.
New feature on WhatsApp helps you
To protect yourself against these annoying calls on WhatsApp, you can access a new function of the messenger. The spam protection simply mutes unknown numbers on your cell phone and gives you peace and quiet. We explain in detail how to activate this practical function of the messenger in our instructions.
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