A fraudulent scheme of so-called "dumb" calls is becoming more widespread in Ukraine and abroad. The subscriber answers the call, but there is complete silence in the receiver. Despite the absence of a conversation, such calls can have a very specific purpose.
Experts explain that telephone fraud has long since become an organized system with its own call centers, technical specialists, and database sellers. “Dumb” calls are one element of this infrastructure.
The main purpose of such calls is to verify the activity of the number. If the person answers, their contact is marked as valid and can be used for further attacks: phishing calls, messages, or social engineering attempts.
Another threat is voice recording. When a caller tries to find out who is calling, their words can be recorded. The recording can then be used to create a fake voice using artificial intelligence technologies.
There is another variant of the scheme: the call is quickly dropped, hoping that the person will call back. In this case, charges may be incurred if the number belongs to a paid or international line.
Experts advise not to answer calls from unknown numbers, especially if they look suspicious. If there is silence when you answer, you should immediately end the call and add the number to the blacklist. This way, you can minimize the risk of repeated attempts to contact you.
However, not all silent calls are fraudulent. The reason may be a technical failure, a dead phone, or a new number from a friend. However, caution and attention will help protect your personal data and financial security.
