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Ghost Calls Made By Robots Are Being Used By Scammers To Confirm Active Cell Phones And Then Apply Frauds Involving Personal And Bank Data.
The calls known as “ghost calls” have worried digital security experts and Brazilian authorities. These calls, usually silent and from unknown numbers, are made by automated systems to identify if a cell phone is active. When the user answers, even without speaking, the system confirms that the line works, making it a potential target for scams.
These calls have no direct interaction with the user. In many cases, the call drops as soon as the person responds with “hello” or remains silent. The practice is used to map active numbers, which can be exploited in subsequent frauds, such as attempts to access personal data, line cloning, and approaches pretending to be banks, providers, or family members.
According to cybercrime experts, the procedure works in stages: robots make thousands of random calls, identify which numbers are answered, and then pass these contacts to scammers. The validation is done even without dialogue, just by the act of answering. This method increases the list of targets for criminals to apply telephone and virtual fraud.
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How Can Users Protect Themselves?
The guidance from security and consumer defense agencies is clear: avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. If the call is answered and remains silent, it is recommended to hang up immediately, without interacting. Not saying “hello” and not providing any information reduces the chances of being identified as an active target.
According to information published by the portal Metrópoles, in addition to avoiding the answer, it is also advisable to block suspicious numbers and register a complaint with Anatel or Procon. These measures help track suspicious activities and alert other users about fraudulent practices.
Finally, experts emphasize that attention is the best defense against telephone scams. If the call is legitimate, the sender will likely leave a message or seek another contact channel. Distrust and caution can prevent significant financial and data losses.
Have you ever received a silent call and they hung up? How do you usually react to these situations?
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