Calls from unknown numbers keep coming. It is not uncommon for spam calls with little serious background to hide behind this. TECHBOOK lists the phone numbers that are currently causing trouble particularly often.
The companies and call centers behind the spam phone numbers call at all hours of the day and night. Usually several times in quick succession. The reason: Computers often take over the calls, which often test a number until they get a response at the other end. As a result, people who are called who accept a call from such an unknown number often hear cracking and hissing on the line before they are – if at all – connected to an employee.
The callers are often sitting in call centers and have only one task: to request data from the person called and to lure them into flimsy sweepstakes or dubious contracts. In the worst case, such a call becomes really expensive for the recipient. However, commercial calls of this type are legally prohibited if the person called has not explicitly allowed them. Of course, the companies and call centers also know this. They therefore regularly change the numbers they use to call to distract themselves and avoid trouble. Sometimes they change the entire phone number, sometimes just the last few digits.
For this reason, the list of spam phone numbers active over a period of time is constantly changing. So it’s good that many sufferers report the spam numbers to the Federal Network Agency. They have the option of imposing penalties or even blocking telephone numbers. In any case, however, she creates a list of the numbers that are currently particularly active.
Also interesting: How can I check whether my number is in the phone book?
These spam phone numbers are currently particularly active
The app operator “Clever Dialer” also takes a similar approach. Using its application, users can enter phone numbers that are harassing them and block them if they wish. Based on the data, Clever Dialer creates an up-to-date list of spam phone numbers that are currently causing trouble particularly frequently.
Advertising calls, competitions and cost traps are categorized accordingly by Clever Dialer. In the past few weeks, people who have been called in Germany have complained particularly frequently about the following telephone numbers:
The 069244375048 took fourth place in the list last month. In December, however, with a total of 5,890 reports and 4,411 blocks, it slipped to first place on the list of the most annoying spam phone numbers. Those called complain about telephone terror and call centers where only computers answer when they answer. The mean thing about this number: the fraudsters have reacted to the blocking and are trying to get the data of the called party with a second number. It is very similar to the first number, differing only in the last two digits. If you block 069244375048 in your phone, you should block 069244375049 at the same time.
A well-known number has also worked its way up to number two. The 01635844545 was previously in third place and annoys callers with alleged winnings from sweepstakes. There were 4200 reports here in the past 30 days alone.
Beware of the current big scam
TECHBOOK repeatedly reports scams that scammers use particularly often to get user data. One of them is the Europol scam, which has been causing trouble for several months in a row. Scammers call users on behalf of the law enforcement agency in an attempt to obtain sensitive information. A TECHBOOK editor was also called several days in a row by an alleged Europol employee. On the phone, she then informed about an alleged identity theft. In this case, the number the scammers used to call was +49 176 23816914. In some cases, however, they also manage to technically transmit Europol’s real number in order to give the impression that the police are actually on the phone. So be vigilant if Europol contacts you with alleged warnings.
Also read: Europol rip-off – even the BKA warns of these calls!
Block spam calls
Fortunately, consumers can do something about phone spam. If they have staying power, they can simply ignore calls from unknown numbers. But it is even better to find out their origin on the Internet. To do this, they enter a spam phone number that keeps popping up on their phone into their browser’s search bar. This often reveals who is behind the calls.
If the number is questionable, it can be blocked easily and free of charge using most routers and smartphones. A small catch: Unfortunately, blocking only works for a specific number. If the companies change their spam numbers, they must be added to the list of blocked connections.
Also read: How to easily find out the owner of an unknown cell phone number
Via landline
Many routers from Netgear, D-Link, the Fritz boxes from AVM and others offer the option of blocking phone numbers in the menu under the “Telephone” or “Fixed Network” tab. Calls from these connections are then no longer put through to the telephone. It then quite simply stops ringing and the subscriber is no longer bothered.
On Android smartphones
Android phone owners can also block spam phone numbers through their Google account. To do this, open the phone app on your smartphone and click on the symbol with the three dots in the upper right corner. All unwanted numbers can now be entered under “Spam” or “Block”. If you like, you can even ignore all unknown phone numbers. Then the cell phone only puts through calls from contacts that are saved in the address book.
On iPhone
Of course, blocking certain phone numbers also works on Apple’s iPhone. To do this, users go to their call list and select the appropriate call. Click on the button for more information, then a new page will open with the command “Block caller” displayed at the bottom.
Read more: How to Mute Unknown Calls on iPhone
If companies call from a blocked number, they can still leave a voicemail message, but the person called will not receive any notification of this. They also do not find out that they have been blocked by the recipient.