Robocalls From Azerbaijan: Why Am I Getting These?

Robocalls are a nuisance and can pose a serious threat to your personal information. While the government has implemented measures to combat them, scammers constantly find new ways to circumvent these efforts. There are several reasons why you might be receiving robocalls from Azerbaijan:

- You may have answered a call from an unknown number in the past, signalling to scammers that your number is active.

- Your phone number could have been purchased by scammers, who often buy and sell lists of phone numbers.

- Your number might be publicly available if you've provided it to contests, surveys, or listed it online.

To reduce the number of robocalls you receive, you can download a call blocker app, use built-in features on your phone, join the Do Not Call Registry, and be cautious when providing your phone number.

Robocalls are a scam that can cost you money

The "Wangiri" scam, for example, involves a scammer calling you and hanging up after one or two rings. When you call back, you'll hear a recorded message that is designed to keep you on the line. You'll be charged high international rates or connection fees for as long as you stay on the call, and the scammer gets a cut of those fees.

Another common scam is to pretend to be a government agency, such as the Social Security Administration, and threaten you with dire consequences if you don't provide personal information or money. Scammers may also pretend to be a company and try to sell you something, which is usually illegal unless you've given them prior written permission.

To protect yourself from robocall scams, it's important to be vigilant and cautious. Don't answer calls from unknown numbers, and never give out personal information or send money to an unsolicited caller. If you think a call might be legitimate, hang up and call the phone number listed on your account statement or the company's website. Additionally, you can register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce the number of unwanted sales calls you receive.

Scammers use automated systems to call large numbers of people

The next call you receive might be from a different number, with a real person on the other line who is trying to scam you. Unfortunately, many people fall for these scams and provide their personal information.

Answering calls from unknown numbers is one of the primary reasons you might receive robocalls

Answering calls from unknown numbers is one of the primary reasons you might start receiving more robocalls. Scammers often use a tactic called "neighbour spoofing", where they call you from a number with a similar area code to your own, hoping that you'll be more inclined to answer. If you do answer, they might play a recorded message intended to keep you on the line or get you to call back. The longer you stay on the call, the more you pay, and the scammer gets all or part of those fees.

To avoid this, it's best not to answer calls from unknown numbers. If you do answer such a call, hang up immediately. If you get a voicemail from an unknown number, do not call that number back.

You can also download a call-blocking app, which acts as a filter. These apps use call data or reports from other users, the FTC, and other sources to predict which calls are illegal or likely scams and intercept them before they reach you. Some apps are free, while others charge a fee. Alternatively, you can check if your phone has built-in features that let you block calls from specific numbers.

Your number may have been purchased by a scammer

If you're receiving robocalls from Azerbaijan, it's possible that your number has been purchased by a scammer. This is a common occurrence, as scammers can easily obtain phone numbers through data breaches, social media profiles, data broker lists, the dark web, stolen mail, target lists, shoulder surfing, phishing scams, and autodialers.

Data broker lists are a particularly common source, as these companies collect and sell consumer information, including phone numbers and email addresses. Scammers can simply buy your phone number from these data brokers and use it for their malicious activities.

Another possibility is that your number has been obtained through a data breach. Major companies like T-Mobile have experienced data breaches in the past, exposing millions of phone numbers and other personal information to scammers.

Social media profiles can also be a source of phone numbers for scammers. Many social media services require your phone number to set up an account, and if your security settings aren't tight enough, your phone number can become publicly available.

The dark web is another avenue for scammers to obtain phone numbers. Cybercriminals sell stolen and counterfeit data on this hidden layer of the internet, and your phone number may be among the information they trade.

Stolen mail is a more physical way for scammers to get your number. They can rummage through your mailbox or local collection boxes to find letters and documents containing your phone number.

Target lists are a more targeted way for scammers to obtain phone numbers. If you've previously fallen for a scam or responded to a phone scam, your contact information could be on a list that scammers buy and sell to each other, making you a repeat target.

Shoulder surfing is a more direct but less common method. This involves scammers physically watching you type your phone number on a device, allowing them to see and note down your number.

Phishing scams are a sneaky way for scammers to get your number. They send fraudulent text messages or emails, tricking you into providing your phone number and other personal details.

Finally, autodialers are a more random approach. Scammers use software to generate and call random phone numbers, hoping that someone will pick up so they can initiate their scam.

If you're receiving robocalls from Azerbaijan, it's important to take precautions to protect yourself. Ignore the calls, don't call back unknown numbers, block the numbers, and consider using call-blocking apps or your phone's built-in features to filter and block spam calls. Additionally, be cautious when sharing your phone number online or in public, and regularly monitor your online presence and credit report for any signs of suspicious activity.

Your number is publicly available

If your phone number is publicly available, it is possible that callers from Azerbaijan have simply dialled the wrong number. This could be a simple case of misdialling, or it could be due to the fact that Azerbaijan uses a similar numbering system to other countries, leading to confusion. For example, the international code for calling Azerbaijan might be similar to other country codes, leading to a simple transposition error or a mistake in remembering the correct code, resulting in an accidental call to your number.

Another possibility is that your number has been targeted as part of a scam or telemarketing campaign. Your number may have been sold or traded as part of a list of active numbers, which scammers or telemarketers use to make multiple calls. These callers often use VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services, which allow them to make cheap international calls and disguise their true location. This makes it difficult to trace the origin of the calls and can result in a high volume of unwanted calls, including those from Azerbaijan.

In some cases, your number may have been randomly dialled by automated dialling systems used by scammers or telemarketers. These systems can generate thousands of random numbers, and any active numbers are then added to their lists for future use. This can result in unexpected calls from overseas numbers, including those from Azerbaijan.

To reduce the number of unwanted calls, you can register your phone number with a "do not call" list or utilise call-blocking features offered by your phone service provider or through third-party apps. Additionally, you can try to keep your phone number private by limiting its public availability. This may involve removing your number from public directories or being cautious when providing your number to websites or services.

By taking these steps, you can help reduce the likelihood of receiving unwanted calls, including those from Azerbaijan, and improve your privacy and peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions