Beware of phone spam: You should ignore these phone numbers in January

Created: 01/13/2023 13:09

By: Yannick Hanke

Calls from unknown numbers can occur again and again.

It is not uncommon for spam calls to be behind this.

You should therefore ignore certain numbers.

Berlin – It doesn't matter what time of day or night: The companies and call centers behind spam telephone numbers never take a break and call again and again.

A problem that many consumers in Germany are probably familiar with.

It's often computers that take the calls and test a number until they pick up the phone at the other end of the line, annoyed.

Annoying phone spam: How companies and call centers deal with it

If you are connected to a real existing caller, who is usually sitting in a call center, it gets down to business.

Because the task of these people is clear: They want to query the data of the person called and lure them into flimsy sweepstakes or dubious contracts.

In the worst case, a call like this can be really expensive for the recipient.

A number of phone numbers should be ignored in January 2023.

Because there is a great risk of spam.

© Wolf von Dewitz/dpa/symbol image

After all, advertising calls of this kind are legally prohibited if the person called has not explicitly allowed them.

Unfortunately, companies and call centers also know this.

That's why they regularly change the phone numbers they use to call.

In this way they want to distract themselves and avoid legal trouble.

Sometimes the complete telephone number is changed for this, but sometimes only the last digits.

This helps with annoying phone calls: the Federal Network Agency can block spam phone numbers

As a result of this perfidious activity, the list of spam numbers that are active over a period of time is constantly changing.

It is advisable to report spam numbers to the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA).

Because they have the option of imposing penalties or even blocking telephone numbers.

What definitely happens: A list of the numbers that are currently particularly active is created.

The app operator

takes a similar approach.

Users can use its application to enter phone numbers that are harassing them and block them if they wish.

creates a monthly

list of spam phone numbers that are currently causing a lot of trouble.

Because of telephone spam: You should ignore these phone numbers in January

divides advertising calls, competitions and cost traps

into categories accordingly.

In the past few weeks, those called in Germany have complained mainly about the following telephone numbers:

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The leader in this regard would have given those affected hourly telephone terror.

Basically, against the background of the still high electricity prices, warnings are given above all about spam phone numbers that aim to do just that.

For example, alleged representatives called 022165085679 to conclude new electricity contracts.

The caller behind the number 01631672226, on the other hand, would have wanted to offer advice on the subject of electricity contracts or there was talk of a false competition.

Or callers pretended to be employees of companies such as BEW (Bergische Energie und Wasser; 01637875622) in order to find out the meter numbers of consumers (08990423013).

Telephone scammers rely on Europol scam - and pretend to be the police

In general, the online magazine

warns of scams that scammers use again and again to gain access to sensitive user data.

The Europol scam is given as an example.

Here, scammers call users on behalf of the police authority and try to get their data.

Technically, Europol's real telephone number would sometimes even be transmitted in order to give the impression that the police were actually on the line.

How to search for the origin of spam phone numbers online

Fortunately, there is also an opportunity for consumers to do something about phone spam.

Of course, calls from unknown numbers can simply be ignored.

It is even more advisable to look for their origin on the Internet.

To do this, enter a spam phone number that keeps appearing on your phone in your browser's search bar.

This method can often be used to find out who is behind the calls.

Spam calls: what information the Federal Network Agency needs "to combat unauthorized telephone advertising".

The Federal Network Agency "is dependent on the most detailed information possible in order to combat unauthorized telephone advertising", as it writes on its website.

Therefore, the following points should be noted during the call:

• caller's name

• advertised product

• company/client

• Date and time of the call

• Caller's phone number

The relevant information can then be entered in a complaint form.

What consumers are allowed to forward to "fight against illegal telephone advertising" - and what is prohibited

The following documents may also be helpful for the investigation:

• Extract from your router showing the receipt of the call

• Screenshot (screenshot) of your call log

• All correspondence between you and the calling company:

• Contract documents if you are a customer of the calling company (e.g. your mobile phone contract)

• Contract documents that you received after the call (e.g. change of electricity supplier)

• Response letter to your data disclosure

• Response to your advertising opt-out or call ban

In addition, the note from the Federal Network Agency: Advertising calls may not be recorded without the prior consent of the person you are talking to.

Because otherwise you are liable to prosecution.

(Data as of January 2023)