☎️Phone Scams ("Hello Scams")

What Are Telephone Scams?

Telephone scams are crimes in which fraudsters pretend to be representatives of institutions, police officers, medical personnel, relatives in trouble, or other people in positions of authority, in order to pressure the victim into handing over money or valuables.

Common Scenarios:

• "Relative in trouble" – urgent need for surgery or financial assistance.

• "Police" – request for cooperation in catching criminals by handing over money.

• "Tax/Social Security debt" – someone claiming to be from the National Revenue Agency (NRA) or National Social Security Institute (NSSI) requests payment of “debts” over the phone.

• "Blocked bank account" – a “bank employee” requests money to “unblock” your account.

• Calls from a foreign number requesting a money transfer or other assistance.
  
  

Key indicators:

• Pressure for immediate action.

• Threats or psychological intimidation.

• Persistent requests for money or valuables.

• Requests for sensitive information (personal ID number, bank account number, PIN code, etc.).
  
  

How to Protect Yourself?

• Do NOT provide personal information over the phone – ID number, address, banking details, PIN code.

• Never give money at the request of strangers.

• Do not follow instructions from a phone call without consulting a relative or official institution.

• If in doubt – hang up immediately.

• Call 112 and report the call, providing the phone number used.

• Contact your relatives using their usual phone numbers.

• Seek confirmation from your bank or the police.
  
  

Who to Contact?

• Ministry of Interior / Police – Call 112 or contact your local police station.

• Prosecutor’s Office – To file an official complaint.
  
  

What to Do if You Suspect a Scam?

1. Stay calm.

2. End the conversation with the caller.

3. Notify your bank immediately (especially if you have shared data or made a transfer).

4. Record the date, time, phone number, and details of the conversation.

5. File a report with the police or prosecutor’s office.
   
   

What to do if you have already become a victim?

• Act immediately.

• Call 112 and report the scam.

• Seek help from relatives, friends, or neighbors.

• File an official police report.

• Keep all evidence (call logs, phone numbers, receipts).

• Inform your mobile operator – they can block or flag the number.
  
  

Important to Know:

• No institution (NRA, NSSI, banks, police, prosecutor’s office) will request money over the phone.

• No employee will ask for personal data or money in this manner.

• Always verify information through an official source.
  
  

Tip: Report to Your Mobile Operator:

• File a complaint about the misuse of a number.

• Request blocking or restriction of calls from that number.

• Inform the police that you have also reported it to the operator.
  
  

Mobile Operator Contacts:

• A1: *88 or +359 88123

• Vivacom: 123 or +359 87 123

• Yettel: 123 (for Yettel customers) or +359 89 123
  
  

Key Reminder:

⚠ Stop! Think! Verify!

• Never give money to strangers – no matter who they claim to be.

• The first step in protecting yourself is to hang up the phone.