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

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.