Receiving a call from a number starting with +44, +32, or another international prefix is not automatically suspicious. International banks, travel bookings, outsourced customer service centres, and friends living abroad all generate legitimate foreign calls. Context is everything.
The one-ring scam
A common trick is to let a call ring just once then hang up, hoping you call back a premium-rate number. Frequently abused prefixes include +222 (Mauritania), +678 (Vanuatu), and +252 (Somalia). In 2026, scammers increasingly spoof European-looking numbers such as +376 (Andorra), +44 (UK), or +32 (Belgium) via VoIP — the displayed number is an unreliable indicator of true origin.
Three questions to ask before calling back
- Were you expecting an international call? A recent booking or contact abroad makes it plausible.
- Do you have any connection to that country? If not, be cautious.
- Was a voicemail left? Legitimate organisations typically leave a message.
Reporting
Search foreign numbers on TelCheck and report via Signal Conso (signalconso.gouv.fr). The general rule: if you were not expecting an international call, verify before engaging.