A new wave of telephone scams is hitting San Marino. The alarm was raised by the Consumer Association (Associazione Sportello Consumatori), which in recent days has received numerous reports from citizens who were deceived or targeted by individuals posing as members of the Gendarmerie.
The scheme has become well established. The fraudsters call victims claiming there has been an accident or emergency involving a family member. During the call, they ask whether the person is home alone and provide personal details — such as phone numbers or car license plates — to make the story more convincing. If the deception succeeds, an accomplice then shows up at the victim’s home under the pretext of collecting money or valuables.
According to the Consumer Association, several victims of these scams have reached out to the organization in recent days seeking help. The advice given is to hang up the call immediately, contact the family member mentioned directly, and report the incident to the police.
The association also draws attention to another type of scam: calls that appear to come from one’s own phone provider, in which personal data or payment card information is requested. In these cases too, the recommendation is not to provide any information, to end the call, and to notify the authorities.
Finally, the Consumer Association reminds the public that no legitimate institution or operator ever asks for sensitive data or payment information over the phone, urging citizens — particularly the most vulnerable — to remain vigilant.
