Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Country Code 212 Scam Calls and Texts
Country Code 212 Scam Calls and Texts

The +212 country or area code belongs to Morocco. If you are receiving unexpected calls or texts from this code, it is most likely a scam, often referred to as the "One Ring" or Wangiri scam.

How the Scams Work

  • "One Ring" (Wangiri) Scam: Scammers call your number and hang up after just one ring. They hope you will be curious enough to call back. If you do, you are connected to a high-cost premium-rate international number that can result in massive per-minute charges on your phone bill.
  • Smishing (Text Scams): You may receive SMS or iMessages appearing to be from legitimate services like FedEx or Apple. These often claim there is a "problem with a delivery" or "unauthorized access" to your account to trick you into clicking a phishing link.
  • WhatsApp Fraud: Scammers use +212 numbers on WhatsApp to offer fake part-time jobs or engage in extortion by recording video calls.

212 Area Code Confusion

Scammers frequently exploit the fact that 212 is also the prestigious area code for Manhattan, New York. They may "spoof" their caller ID so it looks like a local New York call, but if the number displays as +212, it is actually originating from (or appearing to come from) Morocco.
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What to Do

  • Do Not Call Back: Never return a missed call from an unknown international number.
  • Do Not Click Links: If you receive a text, do not click any links or provide personal information.
  • Block and Report: Use your phone's built-in features to block the number. You can report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
  • Check Your Bill: If you did call back, contact your service provider immediately to dispute any fraudulent charges.
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