Wangiri: the missed call scam that costs more than you'd think

Have you ever received a missed call from a strange number that barely rang for a second? Be careful. It could be one of the most silent scams currently circulating in Spain — and on the Costa del Sol, we're seeing it more and more.

It's called Wangiri, which in Japanese literally means "call and cut." And it works exactly as it sounds: someone calls you, hangs up before you can answer, and waits for you to call back.

That's the trap.

How does it work exactly?

Those foreign numbers are connected to lines with very high international call rates. Every second you spend on the phone generates a charge that will appear — without any prior warning — on your next bill.

There's no virus, no suspicious link to click. Just curiosity. And that curiosity can cost you real money.

How do you avoid it?

Three simple rules worth keeping in mind:

• Don't return calls from foreign numbers you weren't expecting. If someone genuinely needs you, they'll call again or send you a message.
• Be wary of certain dialling codes. The most common ones associated with this scam include: +258, +252, +213, +216 and +220. They're not the only ones, but they're a red flag.
• If in doubt, search the number on Google before calling back. There are forums and websites that have already reported thousands of fraudulent numbers.

What if you've already called back?

Contact your network provider as soon as possible and ask them to review your bill. In many cases, the charge can be blocked if you act quickly.

It's also worth checking whether you have a spending limit set up on your line. Most providers offer this option, and it could save you from a very unpleasant surprise.

The underlying issue: digital security can't be improvised

Wangiri is just one example of how digital fraud is affecting individuals and businesses in Marbella and the surrounding area. For companies and self-employed professionals, the consequences can go far beyond an inflated phone bill.

If you run a business, you may be interested to know that cyber risk insurance exists, designed specifically to cover digital incidents: fraud, data theft, identity theft and more. Because a wrong call could be just the beginning.

And if you'd like a clear picture of everything you can protect, take a look at our full insurance catalogue.

The best defence against this type of scam is always the same: a healthy dose of scepticism. A missed call from an unknown number isn't worth a single second of your time — or your money.