Blog: security, scams, and phone spam
Content from the NoCall team to understand real threats, spot patterns, and make informed decisions.
Fake traffic fine and toll texts: how to spot the scam
You get a text about an "unpaid fine" or "outstanding toll" with a link to pay before a surcharge kicks in. It's a recurring smishing campaign. Here's how to recognise it and how to check whether you really owe anything.
Silent calls: why someone calls and says nothing
You answer and there's only silence on the other end, or they hang up the moment you speak. Here are the three real causes of silent calls and how to respond.
"Hi Mum, I lost my phone": the WhatsApp child-in-trouble scam
A WhatsApp from an unknown number claiming to be your son or daughter with a "new number" and an urgent need for money. Here's how the scam works and the one check that never fails.
Calls from a hidden number: who's calling me and what can I do?
You keep getting calls from a "private", "blocked" or "no caller ID" number and want to know who it is. Here's what can genuinely be found out, which apps are lying to you, and how to block these calls.
The "can you hear me?" scam: what's true and what to do
You pick up and the first thing they ask is "can you hear me?" or "is this John Smith?". Here's what the call is really after, what part of the "say yes" scam is myth, and how to answer without risk.
Payment app scams: how they work and how to protect yourself
A stranger sends you a payment request on PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Revolut and you're not sure whether to accept. Here are the most common payment app scams, the money-request trap, and what to do if you've fallen for one.
How to get your money back after a phone scam, step by step
You've been scammed over the phone and want your money back. An honest, practical guide: what to ask your bank depending on how you paid, how to report it, and what to realistically expect.
AI-cloned voices in phone scams: what's real and how to defend yourself
AI can already mimic a relative's voice from just a few seconds of audio. We explain what's real, how it works and how to protect yourself.
SIM swapping: the SIM duplicate fraud and how to protect yourself
SIM swapping clones your number onto another card to steal your bank's text messages. We explain how they do it, the warning signs and how to shield yourself.
An X-ray of phone spam in Spain: what NoCall's data says
This is how we measure phone spam at NoCall: what data we publish, where it comes from and how you can read it yourself to protect yourself better.
Quishing: scams with QR codes and links in text messages
Quishing hides fraud inside a QR code you scan with confidence. We explain how it works and how not to fall for it.
What to do if you receive a call from an unknown international number
A step-by-step protocol for a call from a foreign prefix you weren't expecting: don't call back, verify the country and block sensibly.