Did you know that you can be a victim of a phone scam?
Have you ever received a call saying that your bank account has been frozen? Or someone called to say that your child had an accident and needs to transfer money immediately? These situations may seem real — and that’s exactly what criminals want you to think.
Phone scams are becoming more and more common and sophisticated. Often, criminals pretend to be representatives of trustworthy institutions or even relatives in emergency situations, using fear and haste as weapons to manipulate victims.
But do you know how to identify a fake call? And, more importantly: do you know what to do when something suspicious happens?
How Do Phone Scams Work?
Criminals often use social engineering techniques, that is, they manipulate the victim with personal information or dramatic situations to take advantage of their emotions.
Some of the most common scams:
- Call pretending to be a bank or card operator
“This is the security department at Bank X. We have detected suspicious activity in your account. We need to confirm your details.”
These calls usually create urgency, asking for passwords, verification codes or instructing transfers to “protect” the victim’s money.
- Fake technical support scam
“This is the call center at operator Y. We are updating our systems and need to validate your number.”
The goal here is to gain access to the victim’s cell phone, often requesting permission to access WhatsApp via another device or install malicious programs.
- Fake family member in emergency scam
“Dad, it’s me! I was robbed and I’m stuck in the hospital. I need R$2,000 urgently!”
This type of scam uses panic and family love to quickly pressure the victim into making a transfer without verifying the veracity of the information.
Warning Signs: How to Identify a Suspicious Call
Watch out for the following signs:
❌ The person asks for passwords, codes or bank details over the phone.
❌ Creates extreme urgency (“You have to do it NOW!”).
❌ Cannot answer specific questions or tries to change the subject.
❌ Uses a generic landline or cell phone number, with no known history.
❌ Offers unexpected prizes or advantages (e.g.: “You won an iPhone!”).
Remember: no legitimate institution will ask for passwords or codes over the phone.
Safety Tips Against Phone Scams
- Be wary of unknown numbers
Many scammers use VoIP lines or even clone numbers of people close to them. Strange numbers should be ignored or investigated first. - Do not provide personal information over the phone
Never give out passwords, social security numbers, account numbers or any sensitive information just because someone called. - Always confirm through other channels
If you receive a strange call, do not automatically believe it. Hang up and contact the company or person directly through official numbers. - Keep your family informed
Talk to elderly parents, young children or anyone close to you about these types of scams. Awareness saves! - Use spam blocking and identification apps
There are several apps and even native Android and iOS features that help identify and block suspicious calls.
