Telephone scams in the Netherlands: this is how you block the scum

Telephone scams are becoming an increasing problem in the Netherlands. But luckily you can do something about it. This is how!

Telephone scams in the Netherlands

You hear it more and more often in programs such as Opsporing Verzocht. Phone scams are becoming increasingly common. Criminals then use various excuses to lure seniors into a trap.

If you answer such a call, you will be told that your account or computer has been hacked. Or that there is something wrong with your bank details. They also sometimes say that criminals are active in your area. And that they will send someone from the police to secure your jewelry and valuables. Of course none of that is true.

Scam via unknown numbers

Phone scammers operate in different ways. They often hide the telephone number they are calling from. You will then see on your iPhone that you are being called by an unknown number. Fortunately, there is something you can do about this by automatically blocking all unknown numbers. You do this as follows:

This setting silences calls from unknown numbers. But iPhone will continue to ring for incoming calls from your contacts, people you’ve called, and calls made through Siri Suggestions. Please keep in mind that you must always add friends who are allowed to call you to your contacts

Spoofing scam

It becomes more difficult if the criminals use spoofing. It then seems as if they are using the telephone number of, for example, a bank or the police. An ’employee’ will then ask you to transfer money or forward certain login codes. This is also a form of telephone scam. A real bank will never ask you this! So hang up immediately and then call your bank back via the official number.

Some scammers work differently and you will not receive an employee on the line, but will hear a kind of tape (whether or not in another language). Then someone asks for money, your data or they want you to install certain software. Even then you must immediately disconnect the call and not call back.

Also pay attention if you receive a call from an unknown international number. Especially if your phone only rings once. Then ignore the call and do not call back. Often it is a trap.

Chat apps such as WhatsApp are also not safe and scammers are also active there. Money is often asked by someone who pretends to be the son, daughter or other family member (with or without a ‘new number’).

In that case, it is always best to call the person. Ask if the story is correct and check whether it is really your family member. If necessary, you can always visit them yourself to be sure if they live nearby.

Phone scams: that’s how common it is

Everyone always says ‘that will never happen to me’, but the number of reports of phone scams has increased significantly compared to last year. In the Netherlands alone, almost 10,000 reports of telephone scams were received in the first three months of 2025. This was ‘only’ 3000 a year earlier. So it looks like it will only increase next year.

More useful tips

Are you looking for more useful tips? Then check out the articles below!

• Telephone scams in the Netherlands: this is how you block the scum

• Apple Intelligence: improve your texts on your iPhone with writing assistance

• 3 iPhone tips for those who want to get started quickly with Apple Intelligence!

• This hidden feature makes the Calendar app on your iPhone much more useful

• Thanks to this Apple Watch feature, you will no longer get angry looks in the cinema