These numbers should be alarming: Ukrainians explained when is best not to answer the phone.

Ukrainians were explained which numbers in the phone number to pay attention to when answering or making a call.

With the development of telephone communication, risks have also emerged. Malicious actors, advertising services, and strangers often send unwanted calls, trying to deceive subscribers. There are signs of suspicious numbers that should be considered before answering a call.

The first digits after the + sign

This is the country code. Usually, it's three digits, but it can also be one, two, or four. For example, Germany's code is +49, while Ukraine's is +380.

If a call comes from a number that does not start with +380 (Ukraine's code), it's an international call. Such calls are billed at international rates.

You can answer these calls, but you need to be cautious. Exceptions apply in situations when:

• You are expecting a call from relatives living abroad
• You are conducting business with foreign partners
• You know that you might receive a call from abroad on an important matter

In other cases, you should approach international numbers with increased caution to avoid unwanted expenses or fraud schemes.

Landline numbers in Kyiv

The Kyiv region code (+380 44) is often used for spam.

• If you do not reside in Kyiv or the Kyiv region, such a call is almost certainly unwanted
• Further, we mean residents of Kyiv, for whom calls with the code 44 may come from government agencies

After the digits +380, the first 2-4 digits indicate the region code. Mobile operators have the following codes: Vodafone - +380 50, +380 66, +380 95, +380 99; Kyivstar - +380 67, +380 68, +380 96, +380 97, +380 98; Lifecell - +380 63, +380 73, +380 93.

Short numbers

Calling short numbers should be done with special care and only when you are sure that the number belongs to a large organization that can afford such a number. Usually, these are banks and mobile operators. However, keep in mind that the number can be anything. Advertisers and scammers often call via messengers, so if the number is unknown, you should not answer the call.

It is recommended to use special applications like 'Do not answer the phone' or 'Do not call me'. To install them, you need to enter the phrase 'do not answer the phone' in the search bar of the app store and choose the desired app.

The main safety rule is not to answer calls from unknown numbers. If a real person wants to contact you, they:

• Will call back from the same number
• Will send a message in a messenger
• Will send an SMS explaining the purpose of the call

In the USA, a culture of respectful regard for Time has already formed. Even when responding to ads, Americans first write a message explaining the reason for their inquiry. The recipient decides when it is convenient for them to call back.

This approach:

• Saves time for both parties
• Helps avoid inconveniences
• Allows preparation for the conversation
• Protects against unwanted calls

It should be noted that if a call comes from a company or call center, the last digits of the number typically change with repeat calls - this is one of the signs of an automated dialing system.

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