The consumer platform "Nie, potrebitelite" ("We, the Consumers") has warned of a new phone scam that uses foreign numbers. An automated voice speaking Bulgarian claims money was taken from the person's bank account without grounds. It urges them to press a button to reach an "operator".

The warning came after a man reported a call from the Italian number +39 338 793 1105. The voice said that, according to VISA in Vienna, money had been withdrawn from his account without grounds. To speak to an operator, who would "give information and assistance", he had to press 1.

The message does not say which bank is supposedly calling. The platform thinks this may be deliberate: scammers wait for people to name their bank, then steer the call towards requests for personal data, card details and confirmation codes.

The scheme has weak spots. A warning supposedly from a Bulgarian bank comes in Bulgarian, the withdrawal is in Vienna, and the number has an Italian code. People who hear that their account has been drained panic easily and miss these differences, the platform says.

The timing suits the scammers. Black Friday campaigns are already running, and Christmas and New Year shopping comes next. The platform says scammers count on people expecting notices about payments, deliveries, order confirmations and card activity in these weeks, which makes the fake messages look convincing.

The number on the screen does not show who is really calling, cybersecurity experts say. Scammers use newly bought SIM cards that are not yet in spam-call databases, and they use special software to fake the number shown. So a call "from Italy" can come from somewhere else entirely.

For suspicious automated calls, the platform advises people not to press any buttons or follow any instructions. Bank details, PINs, CVV codes, passwords and one-time codes should never be given over the phone. Anyone who hears that money was withdrawn from their account should hang up and check directly with the bank, using its official phone number or its online banking app. A suspicious number can be blocked in the phone settings.

Anyone who has already given out bank details or a confirmation code should contact the bank at once and ask it to protect the account and payment instruments.

When shopping online, Rumenova advises paying by secure methods, checking that the platform is legitimate and watching account activity. Do not open links in ads or in payment requests that supposedly release a held parcel. Do not enter personal or bank details, whether the message comes by email, messenger, Viber or another app.