"Very high increase"

Beware of scam calls with this area code!

(Bild: Andbiz – stock.adobe.com (KI-generiert))

On Thursday, RTR warned of an increase in number misuse originating in Great Britain. Klaus M. Steinmaurer, Managing Director of the Telecommunications and Postal Services Division, reported on Thursday that 250 complaints had already been registered with the number abuse reporting office since March 1 alone.

"This is a very high increase within a very short period of time," said Steinmeier and advised: "If the numbers of calls begin with +44, you should ask yourself whether you are actually expecting a call from the UK."

Recently, potential victims have increasingly been told by a female computer voice that it is a job offer. She asked them to add the displayed +44 number to their WhatsApp contacts. "The primary aim of the scam is to obtain personal data," said RTR.

Fraud calls should be reported
"We all know how quickly people react to chat messages - very often without thinking - and are likely to give out their data," said Steinmaurer. However, people should always be suspicious of unexpected calls from abroad. "Thanks to the so-called anti-spoofing regulation that we have issued, there have been no scam calls with fake Austrian telephone numbers in Austria since the turn of the year."

Criminals are therefore increasingly using other area codes. According to RTR, number misuse can be reported at www.rufnummernmissbrauch.at. There, misused telephone numbers and sender IDs of text messages as well as any form of harassment via calls and text messages can be reported. This enables RTR to recognize fraudulent activities.