CSIRT-CAN – Centro de Respuesta a Incidentes de Seguridad de Canarias

Phone Scams During Three Kings Week: how to spot and avoid them

Three Kings Week is a peak period for phone scams. After the Christmas shopping rush and just before returning to routine, many people lower their guard, making these days ideal for phone-based fraud.
Understanding how these scams work and recognizing warning signs is essential to protect your money and personal information.


Most common phone scams during Three Kings Week
 

•    Fake calls pretending to be banks or credit cards
•    Calls about alleged problems with gift deliveries
•    Fake prize or lottery notifications
•    Emergency calls impersonating a family member
•    Fraudulent service offers with “limited-time” discounts


Warning signs
•    Urgency and pressure
•    Requests for sensitive information
•    Threats of account suspension
•    Unexpected prizes or offers
How to stay safe
•    Hang up and verify through official channels
•    Never share passwords or SMS codes
•    Don’t make payments over the phone
•    Block and report suspicious numbers


Phone scams increase during Three Kings Week by exploiting urgency and emotions. Staying calm and informed is the best defense to start the year safely.