Numbers with international dialing codes
Scammers often use numbers with international dialing codes to create the impression that the call is coming from abroad. This can be done for the following purposes:
Example: calls from numbers starting with codes +44 (United Kingdom), +1 (United States), +49 (Germany). Scammers may claim to be representatives of an international company, but in reality, they are calling to scam money.
Short numbers
Short numbers are often used for SMS notifications or short services such as voting or voice messages. Scammers may use these numbers to:
Example: messages from short numbers like 12345 or 33333 may ask you to call back or reply to an SMS.
Expensive calls
Scammers may use numbers that are more expensive than regular calls. These may include:
Example: a call from a number starting with 8-900 or 8-800 may result in significant financial costs for the victim.