In recent months, there has been a significant increase in fraudulent calls that use deception techniques to cheat citizens. Given this situation, the National Police has issued a warning urging the population to extreme precautions when they receive communications from unknown numbers. To do this, it has disseminated a simple self -protection strategy known as the “LAP Method”, a practical rule that helps to avoid being a victim of this type of telephone fraud.
The criminals behind these calls use various tactics to deceive their objectives, from the impersonation of the identity of banks or institutions to the use of numbers that simulate being local to generate trust. The recommendation of the authorities is not to answer immediately and apply the “LAP Method”, which consists of three basic steps: Location, author and purpose. With this technique, it seeks to promote prudence and prevent citizens from falling into traps that could compromise their personal and financial information.
What is the “LAP” method?
The procedure recommended by the National Police is based on three simple steps designed to quickly analyze the call and make an informed decision on whether or not to answer:
- Location: The first thing to do is observe the prefix of the incoming number. If the telephone code does not belong to Spain (+34) and no international call is expected, it is sure to ignore it. Scammers usually use foreign numbers or combinations of numbers that simulate being local to generate confidence in the victim.
- Author: If you decide to answer, it is essential to verify the identity of the interlocutor. To do this, some data can be requested that only both parties know, as a previously agreed key name, an important date or a personal reference. If the person who calls cannot provide this information or responds with evasive, it is advisable to hang immediately.
- Purpose: Criminals usually generate a feeling of urgency to prevent the victim from reflecting before acting. Therefore, it is crucial to keep calm and not get pressure. If the call includes suspicious requests, such as providing confidential information, making payments or accessing unknown links, the most sensible thing is to finish the conversation and block the number.
The most used numbers in fraudulent calls
In addition to the LAP Method, the National Police has also warned about certain telephone numbers that have been more frequently reported in fraud attempts. Some prefixes and numerical combinations have been identified as recurring in this type of scams. These include international prefixes from countries with which most Spanish citizens do not usually have contact, such as some numbers from Tunisia (+216), Albania (+355), Ivory Coast (+225) or Nigeria (+234).
Cybercounts use these numbers to carry out the well -known “Wangiri” scam, a technique in which they make a brief call with the intention of the victim returning it. In doing so, high rates per call are activated or even exposed to a social engineering attempt to obtain personal information. For this reason, the authorities recommend ignoring calls with unknown prefixes and not return the call if the number is not recognized.
In addition, some national numbers have also been reported for making fraudulent calls, in which criminals are passed through official organizations or service companies with the intention of obtaining personal or banking data. The recommendation is to look for the Internet number before answering or, in case of doubt, directly contact the company or institution that supposedly tries to communicate.
How to act if a suspicious call is received?
If a call generates doubts or discomfort, the authorities recommend following these steps to minimize risks:
- Do not provide confidential information Under no circumstances.
- Hang immediately If the conversation seems suspicious or the interlocutor shows insistence.
- Block the number To avoid future contact attempts.
- Report the call before the National Police or on platforms aimed at reporting telephone fraud.
The growth of this type of scams has turned caution into an essential tool to avoid falling into deception. Applying the “LAP” method, being attentive to suspicious numbers and maintaining a vigilant attitude to unexpected calls can make a difference between avoiding fraud and becoming a victim of one. In case of doubt, the best option will always be to hang and search for information in official sources.
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