Phone Scams in Switzerland: How to Spot Nasty Tricks and Block Spam Calls

The phone rings, an unknown number lights up on the display, you answer – and on the other end, there is either dead silence or someone aggressively trying to sell you something. Unfortunately, spam calls in Switzerland are constantly on the rise; they don't just test our patience, but in the worst-case scenario, they can also get really expensive.

Whether it's aggressive sales calls or criminal phone scams: fraudsters' tactics are becoming more and more sophisticated. To make sure you don't fall into the trap, this article covers the nasty tricks currently in circulation, how to spot them in time, and how to block unwanted numbers on your smartphone once and for all.

The Most Common Types of Phone Scams in Switzerland

Scammers are constantly coming up with new methods to get hold of your money or personal data. If you know the most common tricks, you are already on the safe side.

Ping Calls (The Callback Trap)

Your phone rings just once, and the caller hangs up immediately. This is a so-called ping call. The number usually comes from abroad and often looks very exotic. The scammers' goal: to spark your curiosity. If you call back out of reflex, you end up on an extremely expensive premium-rate number that costs a small fortune per minute. The golden rule here: never call back an unknown foreign number that only rang once!

Aggressive Health Insurance Marketing

Especially in autumn, when the premiums for the new year are announced, calls from dubious call centers accumulate. They often want to talk you into an appointment to change your health insurance provider. The tricky part is what is known as mobile spoofing: scammers manipulate their technology so that a normal Swiss mobile number or a local landline number is displayed on your screen, even though the call actually comes from a call center abroad. This builds trust but is completely fraudulent.

Shock Calls & Fake Police Officers

One of the cruelest methods is the "shock call". In this case, criminals pose as police officers, doctors, or lawyers and claim that a close relative has had a serious accident or has been arrested. The situation is described in an extremely dramatic way to put you under intense pressure. Immediately afterwards, money or the handover of valuables is demanded for an alleged "bail" or "emergency surgery". Real authorities would never demand money over the phone.

How to Spot Scam Calls Instantly (Red Flags)

Not every unknown call is a direct scam attempt. However, if you notice the following "red flags," all your alarm bells should go off immediately:

• Pressure and urgency: The caller urges you to make a quick decision and builds up massive stress.
• Demand for data: You are asked for passwords, credit card numbers, PIN codes, or bank details.
• Unknown area codes: Calls from distant countries with which you have no connection at all.
• Promises of winnings: You have allegedly won something but are supposed to transfer a fee upfront or sign up for a subscription.

Blocking Numbers: How to Stop Spam Calls on Your Phone

The best defense against phone scams is to consistently ignore and block the respective numbers. If you are plagued by sales calls, we have also prepared a detailed guide for you in our help center: How can I avoid unfair advertising calls.

To prevent your phone from ringing in the first place when spam numbers call, you can block them directly in your smartphone's operating system.

Blocking Spam Numbers on an iPhone (iOS)

1. Open the Phone app and go to "Recents."
2. Tap the blue "i" icon next to the number you want to block.
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom and select "Block this Caller."
4. Confirm your choice by tapping "Block Contact."

Blocking Scam Calls on Android

1. Open your Phone app and go to recent calls.
2. Long-press on the spammer's number (or tap the profile picture/info icon next to it).
3. Select the "Block/report spam" option from the menu.
4. Confirm the process. In this step, you can often report the call directly to Google as spam, which also helps other users.

What to Do If You Have Already Answered? The "Yes Trap"

It happens fast: you get distracted and answer the call carelessly. If the voice on the other end immediately asks you a question like "Can you hear me?" or "Am I speaking to Mr./Ms. [Your Name]?", extreme caution is advised.

This is the so-called "yes trap." The scammers want to trick you into saying a clear "Yes." This "Yes" is recorded and later edited into a fake contract (e.g., for an expensive magazine subscription). When you answer an unknown number, it is best to just greet them with "Hello" and avoid the word "Yes." As soon as the call seems strange to you: just hang up! It is not impolite to protect yourself from criminals.

Stay vigilant, consistently block annoying numbers, and don't fall for nasty tricks. If you feel that your current number has already ended up in too many dubious databases and you prefer to start completely fresh, you can get a new, flexible plan at any time. Via our sign-up page, you'll be on your way in the best network with a new number (or your ported number of choice) in just a few minutes.