KUALA LUMPUR — You pick up the phone — but there’s only silence. No voice, no background noise — just a few seconds of nothing before the line disconnects.
It might seem harmless, even accidental. But according to CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM), that “silent call” could be the first step in a scam.
“Answering these calls might confirm your number as active, and that’s enough to land you on a target list for future scams,” said CSM Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab in an interview with Bernama.
He explained that scammers sometimes use such calls to collect voice metadata.
“Even if you keep quiet, the call can be recorded to identify your voice or background sounds. Once they know the number is active, it may be sold or used for further fraud,” he said.
A silent call typically ends within 10 seconds — but it doesn’t always end there. Victims often receive follow-up calls or messages soon after.
“In some cases, they’ll get an SMS saying their bank account will be suspended unless they call a number. Others receive WhatsApp messages with fake links or job offers.
“After a few rounds of silent calls, a scammer might call again pretending to be from a bank, courier service or government agency,” Amirudin said.
Scammers often disguise their numbers to appear local — a technique known as “spoofing”.
Silent or accidental?
Not every silent call is a scam, Amirudin said, but there are warning signs that can help people tell the difference.
“If the calls come repeatedly, or from several different numbers, that’s suspicious. Scammers tend to use long or seemingly unusual international numbers, and there’s often no sign of a real person at the other end of the line — no breathing, no background chatter,” he explained.
By contrast, genuine accidental calls usually have background noise and end quickly once the caller realises the mistake.
“Sometimes, the real giveaway is what happens next, such as a follow-up call from someone claiming to be from the bank, police or even the court,” he added.
What to do if you get one
Amirudin’s advice is simple: hang up immediately.
Ending the call prevents scammers or automated systems — known as robocalls — from marking your number as active.
“Many worry that if they don’t answer, they might miss a call from a loved one in distress,” he said. “But if the call is truly important, the caller will either try again or leave an SMS, WhatsApp or voice message.”
He warned against keeping the line open or revealing personal details.
“As a precaution, report any suspicious numbers to the authorities,” he said.
Smartphones today may come with built-in spam filters, or apps such as Truecaller or Whoscall, which can help detect scam numbers.
Amirudin also advised the public to contact the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) or their telco provider to verify unknown numbers and report persistent spam activity.
Staying ahead of scammers
Blocking suspicious numbers is just one layer of defence. Amirudin said Malaysians should take a proactive approach to protect their personal data, including:
- Avoiding sharing personal phone numbers publicly;
- Educating family members, especially older relatives, about scam tactics;
- Using separate phone numbers for personal and public use where possible; and
- Monitoring financial accounts regularly and verifying suspicious calls through official channels.
“Scammers are always finding new ways to reach you,” Amirudin warned. “Your best defence is awareness and caution before you answer.” — November 6, 2025
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