It always follows the same pattern

A mobile phone number rings. This time the 01738989936, one of many numbers calling these days. You can't reach the phone because you are busy and when it's your turn, they usually hang up. If you call back, it means no answer at this number.

Now, with Christmas coming up, the calls are starting to pile up. Also from Senegal and Ivory Coast.

But if there is someone on the other end of the line who speaks a little German, things get going quickly. Cold calling, forbidden in Germany. The perpetrators feel safe because they have their bases abroad in semi-silent call centres. The unknown perpetrators want to entice the victims to buy something or make donations before Christmas.

It's just the account number of the person called, nothing else. They want the best a person can give, money. So the philosophy of the crooks. As long as annoy and threaten until the desired data is released. If the called party does not immediately follow the call guide, the callers will very quickly become very rough. You should simply hang up, block the number and do the same for further calls. Even if the Balkan mafia threatens if you do not conclude an electricity contract. Or sex contacts are arranged. Others pretend to be employees of vodafon or employees of authorities that do not exist. Most of these calls come from Morocco or Tunisia.

The telephone chips of the providers are reprogrammed and the number is issued as a mobile phone number that does not exist. The telephone companies are powerless against such company constructs. The calls are extremely annoying, because they come in frequency with ever changing numbers. You should not buy anything in these phone calls. The same games of chance or vouchers are offered again and again. Those who do not do as they are told are verbally submissive. Astronomical profits are promised, which of course do not exist. Lock offers made, only to find out the IBAN in order to receive a direct debit mandate later. In addition, some of the callers who communicate with poor German try to sell subscriptions. The tricks are always the same, an acquaintance would have recommended the person called, the lottery company, the neighbour, the woman on the third floor. None of that is true. Or the collection service calls and invents a claim.

The collection calls come from Romania, Turkey and even Nigeria. Day and night. For some smartphones there is an app that filters out such calls. It's called Call Blocker.

The slimmed down version, which is available as freeware, can hardly handle the frequently changing numbers.

All that remains is to hang up and lock the phone.