Spanish Police Offer Guidance on Combating Spam Calls and New Scams Targeting Expats and Locals

In an effort to tackle the persistent issue of spam calls, the Spanish National Police have recently issued a series of guidelines and warnings to help the public, including expats, navigate and prevent these unwanted contacts.

The Ongoing Problem of Spam Calls

Despite the General Telecommunications Law that came into effect on June 29, 2023, banning commercial calls without prior consent, many individuals in Spain continue to receive spam calls. The law, however, has a significant loophole: it does not apply to calls made using automatic dialing systems without human intervention, such as those with pre-recorded messages. This loophole has allowed certain companies to continue making these unwanted calls[1][2].

Key Points for Dealing with Spam Calls

The Spanish National Police and the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) have outlined several key points to help individuals deal with spam calls:

• Consent Requirement: If you have previously given consent to a company, you may still receive commercial calls from them. However, the company must have a legitimate interest in contacting you, which means you must have had a previous relationship with the company and the products or services they are offering must be similar to those you previously purchased[1][2].

• Contractual Relationship: If the contractual relationship between you and the company is no longer in force and there has been no interaction with the company in the last year, they are not allowed to contact you[1][2].

• Advertising Exclusion System: Registering in an advertising exclusion system, known as the "Robinson List," can help prevent unwanted commercial calls. Companies are obliged to consult these systems before making any calls, and they can only contact you if you have given specific consent[1][2].

• Caller ID and Spam Protection: Modern mobile phones, especially those with the Android operating system, offer features like 'caller ID and spam protection' that can warn you about possible spam calls and save you time by not having to answer them[1].

New Scams to Watch Out For

In addition to spam calls, the Spanish National Police have also alerted the public to new scams that are targeting both locals and expats.

'Wangiri' Scam

One such scam is the 'wangiri' method, where scammers trick people into calling back an unknown number at a special rate, resulting in a large phone bill. This scam involves missed calls from unknown numbers, often international, which are designed to lure victims into returning the call and incurring significant charges[1].

'SIM Swapping' Scam

Another alarming scam is the 'SIM swapping' attack. Cybercriminals gather personal details through phishing emails, malware, or social media posts, then duplicate the victim's SIM card and install it in another device. This allows them to access sensitive information such as bank accounts and passwords. Signs of SIM swapping include a sudden loss of signal, mystery notifications from the provider, and being locked out of online banking or credit card accounts[3].

To protect against SIM swapping, it is advised to contact your provider immediately if your phone loses coverage unexpectedly, enable two-factor authentication, keep account recovery details up to date, and avoid oversharing personal information on social media. Additionally, being cautious with suspicious links and attachments, using strong passwords, and avoiding public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities are recommended[3].

Staying Safe

The Spanish National Police and consumer protection agencies emphasize the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to stay safe from these scams. Here are some tips:

• Stay Connected: If your phone loses coverage for no apparent reason, contact your provider immediately.
• Double the Protection: Enable two-factor authentication.
• Update Recovery Options: Ensure your account recovery details are up to date.
• Tame Your Social Media: Keep your profiles private to avoid giving scammers clues.
• Beware Dodgy Links: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening sketchy email attachments.
• Strong Passwords: Change them regularly and make them hard to guess.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Do not enter sensitive information when connected to unsecured networks[3].

By following these guidelines and staying informed, expats and locals in Spain can better protect themselves against the nuisance of spam calls and the dangers of new scams.