A recent report by Who Calls, Kaspersky's spam identification and blocking app, revealed that 88% of Latin Americans received unwanted calls between December 2025 and January 2026. The study highlights an alarming fact: approximately 11% of these phone calls corresponded to attempts at bank fraud and deceptive promotions, representing a direct threat to the financial security and privacy of users in the region.
Kaspersky experts have identified three main types of scams carried out through these unwanted calls. The first is the "fake call center," where criminals impersonate bank employees or technical support to convince the victim to install remote access applications like AnyDesk, gaining full control of the device. The second modality involves fake registrations and non-existent prizes, requesting payments for "release fees."
"Fabio Assolini, director of Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team for Latin America, pointed out in the third person that the problem has evolved from simple social engineering to the incorporation of complex technological layers. Scammers no longer just seek to collect data verbally; they use tools to control phones without raising suspicion".
There also persists the "fake kidnapping" scam, which now uses simulated sounds and leaked data to increase the psychological pressure on victims.
To mitigate the impact of unwanted calls and avoid falling for scams, specialists recommend staying calm when faced with messages that appeal to urgency and to hang up immediately. It is essential not to install applications or provide passwords or SMS codes over the phone. It is also advised to verify any request through the official channels of companies and to use real-time call identification applications, such as the premium version of Kaspersky Who Calls, which allows for immediate alerts about spam attempts.
According to Assolini, a comprehensive solution requires collaboration between security companies, regulators, and civil society to return control of communications to the citizens.
