It can be very jarring and concerning when you suddenly start receiving a lot of phone calls from an unfamiliar international number. Vietnam is one of the top countries that generate large volumes of international spam and scam calls. If you’ve been getting repeated calls from Vietnam, there are a few potential reasons why:
You signed up for something online
Many scammers buy marketing and contact lists online containing personal information like names, phone numbers, and email addresses. If you recently signed up for something like an online contest or submitted your info to a website, it’s possible your number was added to one of these lists and sold. Companies in Vietnam may have purchased the list you were on and are now calling the numbers on it.
It’s a scam call
Vietnam is known as a major source of illegal robocalls and phone scams. Scammers often falsify their caller ID to make it seem like the call is coming from Vietnam (when it could actually be originating elsewhere). Some common Vietnam scam calls include:
– Tech support scams – They claim there’s a problem with your computer and try to get remote access or have you pay for bogus tech services.
– IRS and SSA imposter scams – The caller pretends to be from the IRS or Social Security Administration and says you owe money or your benefits will be cut off if you don’t pay.
– Kidnapping and extortion scams – The callers impersonate police and claim a family member has been kidnapped, demanding payment for their release.
It’s a wrong number
With the prevalence of scam calls from Vietnam, some legitimate callers may also get incorrectly identified as scammers. It’s possible a caller simply dialed your number by mistake. You can try picking up the call and asking who they were trying to reach to confirm if it’s a wrong number situation.
You have a connection to Vietnam
If you’ve traveled to Vietnam, have friends or family there, do business with Vietnamese companies, or have any other connection, this could explain the calls if the person got your number. Think about if you’ve given your number out to any individuals or businesses in Vietnam that could be trying to reach you.
How scammers get your phone number
For scam calls, here are some of the ways callers from Vietnam and other countries obtain phone numbers:
Buying lead lists online
Spammers buy marketing and contact lists on the dark web containing names, numbers, addresses and other info. These lists are compiled from various sources like website signup forms, data breaches, public records, social media, and more.
Random number dialing
Robocallers use auto-dialers to sequentially call a range of numbers until victims pick up. This is why you may get calls from a multitude of different countries.
Number recycling
When someone disconnects their number, it eventually gets reassigned to a new customer. Scammers keep calling numbers no longer in service hoping they’ll hit some that have been recycled.
Caller ID spoofing
Scammers use VoIP technology to alter their caller ID display to show a fake number. So calls that look like they’re from Vietnam may actually be originating elsewhere.
Harvesting numbers from your phone
If you answer a scam call, they can use your number as a lead to target other numbers in your area code and prefix.
Tracking web browsing
Your web browsing activity could get tracked by ad networks and tracking cookies. Sites you visit can sell data including phone numbers entered on forms.
5 tips to stop calls from Vietnam
If you’re annoyed by repeated calls from Vietnam, here are some tips to get them to stop:
1. Don’t answer unknown callers
Letting unknown calls go to voicemail instead of picking up removes the human interaction scammers want. If no one answers, they’ll likely flag the number as inactive.
2. Block the number
Block each Vietnamese number that calls you on your smartphone or via your phone carrier. This sends the numbers directly to voicemail next time.
3. Put your number on the Do Not Call list
While overseas scammers won’t care, registering your number on the National Do Not Call Registry can help stop calls from legitimate telemarketers.
4. Report scam callers
Inform authorities about any Vietnamese numbers involved in scam calls by reporting to the FTC and FCC to help crack down on illegal callers.
5. Use call blocking tools
Services like Nomorobo can automatically detect and block robocalls. Or get a phone line with built-in call screening from your carrier.
Why does my Caller ID show Vietnam?
Seeing calls repeatedly coming in from Vietnam on your Caller ID can be puzzling if you don’t have any ties to the country. Here are some reasons the calls may be displaying Vietnam numbers:
The calls are actually from Vietnam
Some percentage of calls from foreign numbers on your Caller ID are genuinely coming from that country. Telemarketers or scammers in Vietnam could be dialing U.S. numbers.
Scammers are faking the number
Through caller ID spoofing, scammers intentionally falsify the number to look like it’s coming from Vietnam rather than revealing their real location. This makes the calls seem more legitimate.
Your carrier identified the number incorrectly
Caller ID isn’t foolproof. Sometimesproviders can misidentify an international number if it’s routed in an unusual way. The call could be coming from elsewhere.
It’s an error in the phone network
Mistakes in telephone network routing can randomly cause the wrong caller ID to display. This is more common with international calls passing through multiple carriers.
You have a voicemail hacking attempt
Scammers try to hack into voicemail boxes by spoofing numbers. If you see missed calls from Vietnam you didn’t actually receive, it could be this type of scam.
What to do if you answer a call from Vietnam
If you pick up a call from a Vietnam number and find yourself in an unwanted conversation, here’s how to handle it:
Don’t engage with the caller
The more engaged you seem, the longer scammers will keep you on the phone. Avoid answering questions or giving out info.
Hang up immediately
It’s perfectly fine just to hang up – you don’t need to be polite with illegal callers. Avoid hostile words which could anger the caller.
Ask to be added to their Do Not Call list
Telemarketers are legally required to honor this request, though scammers will likely ignore it. Still, it’s worth a try.
Press numbers to confuse auto-dialers
If you suspect it’s a robocaller, mashing number buttons may confuse the dialing system and get you off the calling list.
Ask for a callback number
Scammers won’t provide a legitimate way to reach them, which helps confirm it’s not a real call. But be cautious providing your own number.
Report the call
File complaints about suspicious Vietnam calls with the FTC and FCC to aid law enforcement in stopping illegal callers.
How to block calls from Vietnam on my smartphone
Stopping unwanted calls from Vietnam on your iPhone or Android phone is easy with these steps:
Activate call blocking settings
On iPhones, turn on Silence Unknown Callers. For Androids, enable Call Screening or turn on call blocking permissions.
Block specific numbers
After receiving a Vietnam call, open your Recents/Call Log. Find the number and select Block or Block/Report as spam call.
Block private/unknown numbers
Enable settings to automatically send calls without a caller ID straight to voicemail. These are very likely to be scammers.
Use app block lists
Download free call blocking apps like Nomorobo or Truecaller that maintain huge block lists you can add Vietnam numbers to.
Block the country code
Determine the Vietnam country code (+84) that shows up in the calls. Enter +84 in your smartphone block settings to send all calls from Vietnam to voicemail.
How to block an international or Vietnam number on my landline
For stopping calls on a landline, traditional phone blocking features and third-party call blockers provide protection:
Check for number blocking service
Many landline providers offer anonymous call rejection or similar services that automatically block international and private numbers.
Add numbers to your blocked list
Most landline phones allow you to add specific numbers to a block list. Add each Vietnam number that calls.
Use star codes to block calls
Carriers often have star codes like *77 or *60 you can dial to enable call blocking on your landline. Check with your phone provider.
Try a call screening device
Devices like the CPR Call Blocker plug into your landline and screen incoming calls against huge block lists and spam databases.
Change your number
As a last resort, you may need to request your phone company assign you a new landline number if the calls persist.
Can I sue someone for calling me from Vietnam?
While illegal scam and spam calls from Vietnam are highly irritating, there are challenges to trying to take legal action against overseas callers:
It’s very difficult to identify culprits
Scammers use spoofing to hide their real location and identities. Law enforcement would need to conduct an intricate investigation to track down perpetrators.
There are jurisdictional issues
Suing someone requires they be subject to the court’s jurisdiction. Overseas scammers are unlikely to travel to the U.S. for a civil trial.
You need quantifiable damages
Courts require you suffered measurable financial losses directly resulting from an activity to award damages. Getting annoying calls typically does not qualify.
A lawsuit may be prohibitively expensive
Pursuing international legal action will have very high costs between lawyers, translators, travel, etc. with minimal likelihood of payoff.
Criminal prosecution is up to the government
Only state and federal authorities like the Department of Justice can file criminal charges for activities like wire fraud or harassment.
Conclusion
Being disturbed by frequent calls from Vietnam is understandably unsettling. While legal action against overseas callers may not be realistic, implementing available call blocking techniques can help eliminate the unwanted calls and restore your peace of mind. Bear in mind the government is working to crack down on scam robocalls at the source in cooperation with foreign authorities.