Got a suspicious call? Hang up and look up the number yourself

Europol is warning people to be careful with unexpected phone calls. The reason is a scam called vishing, a blend of the words voice and phishing. Callers try to trick you into handing over personal, financial or security details, or into sending money.

Why calling back works

If a call feels off, say you will call back, then hang up. Do not use the number the caller gives you, because it could be fake or spoofed. Spoofed means the scammer has made the number look like someone else's. Look up the organisation's real phone number yourself and call that one.

A caller who knows details about you is not proof of anything. Europol says fraudsters can find basic information online, for example on social media.

Some calls should end the moment you hear them. Banks never ask for your card PIN or online banking password. A bank also never asks you to move money to another account. Pressure is another warning sign. Europol says not to let anyone rush you, so take your time and check before you respond.

The steps in the alert box above cover what to do on the call itself.

What is not known

Europol's advice does not say how many people have been targeted or describe a specific wave of calls. It reads as a general warning for anyone with a phone. That makes it worth passing on to family and coworkers, since the same trick can reach anyone.