I have been called by a number that begins with the prefix 234

"I received a call from Nigeria", "I was called this morning from a number with a 234 prefix", "I received a WhatsApp message with a 234 prefix"… Dozens of users have recently reported receiving various calls from numbers that They begin with the prefix 234 (prefix +234). The numbering in question belongs to Nigeria, but who is really hiding behind these types of calls? Is this a possible phone scam attempt? We see it.

I have received a call from a number with prefix 234

For some time now, many people have denounced in various forums and social networks having received calls from numbers that begin with the number 234. Sometimes, these communications are made repeatedly, accumulating dozens of missed calls throughout the day. At other times, however, the communication is made directly by WhatsApp. From the official account of the Civil Guard on Twitter they have already confirmed that it is a scam attempt orchestrated by organized groups.

Apparently the calls are made from premium rate numbers. What these groups do is carry out a multitude of communications to "force" the user to return the call. Once the call is returned to the number in question, the cost of the call falls entirely on the user. In some cases, it has even exceeded 300 and 400 euros. After all, the regulation of this type of numbers is less restrictive in countries such as Nigeria, Tunisia or Albania.

How to block calls from a Nigerian number

The simplest way to block a phone number is to use the blocking options in iOS and Android. In general, it is enough to access the call history from the Calls / Phone application. Then, we will press and hold the number we want to block until a contextual menu appears with different options inside.

Another option is to use specialized third-party applications, such as Mr. Number for iPhone or True Caller for Android. The difference of these tools with respect to the default options of Android and iOS is that they drink from a database with tens of thousands of numbers reported and reported by other people. If the number in question has received a high number of reports, the calls will be identified and blocked automatically.

How to return the amount of the call if my operator has charged me

If our operator has included the amount of the special rate number in the telephone bill, FACUA recommends taking advantage of order PRE / 361/2002 of February 14, which establishes that telephone operators cannot cut the network supply to a user who is not satisfied with the payment of an invoice whose amount is subject to the corresponding remuneration with an additional rate service provider. In other words, we can refuse to pay the invoice in case part of the amount is related to the collection of a special rate number, as is the case.

The user organization itself recommends filing a claim with the telephone company to record our disagreement. From tuexperto.com we recommend raising said claim to the nearest Consumer Office to obtain support from the public Administration.

List of spam numbers identified by tuexpertomovil.com