Calls from unknown numbers are increasingly common, and dangerous. In just a few seconds, a voice on the other end can try to trick you, collect bank details or convince you to share personal information. The phenomenon of telephone scams has grown in Portugal, but there is a simple solution that can help you avoid major losses: identify the origin of the call before answering.
According to Ekonomista, a website specializing in economics and finance, there are specialized applications and websites that allow you to know who a phone number belongs to, automatically blocking suspicious contacts and helping to prevent fraud. These tools are free, safe and are increasingly being used by those who want to maintain control over who contacts them.
Applications that protect you from telephone scams
Truecaller is one of the most popular apps in the world and already has more than 250 million users. According to the publication, the application allows you to identify who is calling, automatically block numbers marked as fraudulent and even report suspicious calls, creating a global protection network between users.
Another option is Hiya, which offers similar functions and a smart lock system. The user can customize the rules, filtering commercial calls, persistent advertising or fraud attempts.
NumBuster!, also highlighted by Ekonomista, has a database with almost 500 million registered numbers. In addition to identifying calls, it allows you to read comments and alerts left by other users, which helps you understand whether the contact is legitimate.
What if you don’t want to install anything?
For those who prefer to use the computer, there are online platforms that fulfill the same function. The website Ligaram-me.pt is one of the most popular in Portugal, allowing you to check whether a certain number has already been reported as suspicious.
Another option is Sync.me, which works through contributions from users themselves and identifies advertising contacts or those associated with fraudulent schemes. This service also has a mobile version and sends automatic alerts when it detects a dangerous call.
How to avoid falling for scams
According to the same source, many telephone scams simulate calls from banks, operators or public institutions. The aim is to trick you into revealing personal data, account numbers or access codes.
The recommendation is simple: never provide information over the phone, even if the interlocutor seems legitimate. Official entities do not ask for sensitive data in this way. If you have any doubts, hang up and contact the official service using the number on the institution’s website.
Prevention is the best block
Knowing who is trying to contact you is the first step to avoiding falling for a scam and protecting your money, as explained by . With these tools, you can block fake numbers, avoid robocalls and help other users not to be scammed.
With just a few clicks, you can say goodbye to suspicious calls and gain a new layer of security for you and your bank account.
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