Messages warning about calls from numbers starting with +375 or +371 have circulated online for years. Most of them claim that if you return the call, you will be charged large fees or have your personal information stolen. Like many viral warnings, there is a mix of truth and exaggeration.
What These Calls Actually Are
These calls are usually part of what’s known as a “one-ring” or “Wangiri” scam.
The pattern is simple:
- your phone rings once or twice
- the caller hangs up
- you see a missed call and call back
If you return the call, you may be connected to an international or premium-rate number and charged a higher fee.
What the Warnings Get Wrong
Many versions of this warning go further and claim that:
- your contacts can be copied instantly
- your bank or credit card information can be stolen
- your phone can be hacked just by calling back
These claims are not accurate.
Simply returning a call does not give someone access to your personal data.
What Is True
- +375 is a country code for Belarus
- +371 is a country code for Latvia
- some scam calls have originated from numbers in these ranges
But most numbers with these codes are legitimate.
What to Do
- don’t return calls from unknown international numbers
- wait to see if a legitimate caller leaves a message
- block repeated unknown numbers
Final Thought
The original warning spread widely because it sounded urgent and important.
Like many web legends, it mixed real risk with exaggerated claims.
The safest approach is simple:
If you don’t recognize the number, don’t call it back