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

Country Code 212 Scam Calls or Messages - How to Protect Yourself
Country Code 212 Scam Calls or Messages - How to Protect Yourself

Calls or messages starting with the country code +212 (Morocco) are frequently associated with a common international phone fraud known as the "One Ring" or "Wangiri" scam. Scammers also use this code to impersonate government agencies, delivery services like FedEx or Amazon, and even personal acquaintances to steal money or sensitive data.

About the Scam

  • Wangiri (One Ring) Scam: You receive a missed call from a +212 number that rings only once. If you call back, you are connected to an international premium-rate line that charges extremely high per-minute fees.
  • Impersonation Texts: Scammers send iMessages or SMS appearing to be from local authorities (e.g., Colorado Department of Taxation) or couriers, often including a link to a phishing website to steal credit card details.
  • WhatsApp/Social Engineering: Fraudsters may message you on WhatsApp pretending to be a friend who "lost their phone" or a former employer, eventually asking for codes or money.
  • Area Code Spoofing: Some scammers attempt to spoof the 212 area code (Manhattan, New York) to appear local but mistakenly use the Moroccan +212 country code instead.

Warning Signs

  • Unexpected International Code: Receiving a call or text from +212 when you have no personal or business ties to Morocco.
  • Urgency or Threats: Messages that demand immediate action or warn of "suspicious activity" on your accounts.
  • Suspicious URLs: Links in texts that use .org or other domains instead of official .gov or company websites.

Protect Yourself

  1. Do Not Call Back: Never return a missed call from an unknown international number.
  2. Avoid Clicking Links: Do not click links in unsolicited texts. Manually visit the official website of the agency or company instead.
  3. Block and Report: Use your phone’s built-in tools to block the number. Report the scam to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
  4. Use Verification Tools: Apps like Truecaller can help identify and label these numbers as "Likely Fraud" before you answer.
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