Fraud alert in NRW: Be careful of fake calls from consumer advice centers!

Fraud alert in NRW: Be careful of fake calls from consumer advice centers!

Fraudulent calls are currently circulating in North Rhine-Westphalia, particularly targeting older people. The North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center warns urgently about so-called fake calls. The fraudsters pose as representatives of the consumer advice center and promise winnings for a fee of 79 euros. A trick that turns out to be dangerous, because the consumer advice center itself has made it clear that it never makes unsolicited calls or offers competition subscriptions. The callers often use a fake Düsseldorf telephone number, which is intended to help them inspire trust.

Manipulating phone numbers is a common method of increasing credibility. Scammers use the technique of “Call ID spoofing”, which means that the number shown on the potential victim's display is not the real one. The North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center has now published information about at least ten telephone numbers that these crooks use. It is therefore advisable to block these numbers and inform the police directly if you suspect fraud.

Be careful with calls

Criminals don't just disguise themselves as representatives of the consumer advice center. They also pose as lawyers or employees of institutions such as the “Federal Office of Consumer Protection” in order to gain the trust of their victims. The fraudsters can even pretend that it is about money refunds from banks or savings banks in order to get personal data. A scam that is causing a stir not only in North Rhine-Westphalia, but throughout Germany.

Statistics show that around 3,800 cases of telephone fraud have already been recorded in Germany in 2022, and at least 40,000 complaints were received to the Federal Network Agency about fake calls. The number of unreported cases is likely to be even higher, considering that many of those affected do not report it out of shame.

What to do if you receive suspicious calls?

The consumer advice centers strongly advise you to be particularly suspicious of calls from unknown numbers. No personal information should be disclosed and demands for money over the phone should be strictly ignored. An immediate hang-up is the best protection to avoid giving fraudsters room. If in doubt, you should contact the consumer advice center directly. Here you can get reliable information and support.

Older people should pay particular attention to the warning signs of scam calls. These include unusual demands for personal information as well as pressure or intensive questions that often have an intimidating effect. Offering supposed services or memberships can also be an indication of fraudulent intentions.

In the event of a suspicious call: hang up and, if necessary, inform the police. Any encounter with these unscrupulous perpetrators can have serious consequences for the individuals involved. Be vigilant and talk about such topics within your family circle to raise awareness about phone scams.

Stay safe and vigilant – and don’t get ripped off!

For further information, you can read the reporting from the NRW Consumer Center here and on the subject of telephone fraud here. ruhr24.de also offers comprehensive information on this current topic.