Beware if you receive a call from 912016000: they are not Securitas Direct

Fake positive comments to lend credibility to the number? That is already a level of sophistication that deserves respect, and not the good kind.

The tactic they use

The modus operandi is quite classic within identity theft phone fraud. Someone calls, presents themselves as an operator or technician from a well-known and trusted company, and starts requesting information: customer number, ID, bank details, address. All under the pretext of a review, an alarm trigger, a change of ownership, or a maintenance visit.

The detail that gives away the scam: Securitas Direct already has all your details on file. If you are a customer, they do not need to ask for your ID over the phone. No legitimate security company calls its customers to request information it should already have in its system.

One user summed it up perfectly: “They say they are Securitas Direct due to an alarm trigger but ask for many details including the ID, which I didn’t give and hung up. Why do they want the details if they have them on file? I think it’s a scam.”

Why it is easy to fall for this type of scam

Securitas Direct, now also known as Verisure, is one of the most prominent security companies in Spain. Millions of homes and businesses are customers, making its name a perfect cover for scammers: the larger the impersonated company, the more likely the call recipient is a real customer.

Moreover, the number does not seem suspicious at first glance. It has the 91 prefix from Madrid, where Securitas Direct has its operational headquarters. It is not a foreign number or a suspicious 900 number. And if it also appears in some search engine with positive comments validating it, the deception gains traction.

This type of fraud works precisely because it appeals to the trust you already have in a well-known brand. They do not ask you to do anything strange at first. Just confirm. Just verify. Just a moment of your time.

The warning signs you should not ignore

If you receive a call from this number or any other claiming to be from your alarm company, pay attention to these signs:

• They ask for details they should already have: ID, account number, full address.
• They create unnecessary urgency: “there is a problem with your alarm”, “we detected an incident”, “we need to verify immediately”.
• They cannot provide specific information about your contract if you ask: customer number, start date, equipment reference.
• They insist after the first attempt to hang up. A legitimate company does not pressure.
• The tone changes if you refuse: from friendly to intimidating in seconds.

The simplest thing you can do if you have doubts: hang up and call the official number of your company directly. Without using any number they gave you in that call. Look for the number in your contract or on the official website, and check if there really is any incident.

What to do if you have already given your details

If you fell for the bait and provided personal or banking information, act quickly:

First, contact your bank to block any unauthorised transactions or change compromised passwords. Second, notify Securitas Direct or Verisure through their official channels so that there is a record that their name is being used fraudulently. Third, file a report with the National Police or the Civil Guard. You can do this online through the electronic headquarters of each body, without needing to go to the police station in person.

Do not downplay the incident by thinking that “you only gave your ID”. The ID combined with your name, phone number, and address is enough to impersonate your identity in procedures, contracts, and financial operations.

The business of fake reviews

One of the most unsettling elements of this case is the alleged manipulation of opinions. If the scammers themselves generate positive reviews for the number to counteract complaints, we are facing an organised operation, not just a simple opportunist with a prepaid mobile.

This practice, known as astroturfing, involves creating the appearance of legitimacy through fake reviews. It gives artificial trust to those searching for the number before returning the call, which is exactly what most people do when they receive a missed call from an unknown number.

The result: the user searches for the number, sees comments saying “it’s Securitas Direct, reliable, they called me for maintenance”, and returns the call without suspecting anything. At that moment, the scammer already has the upper hand.

Spread the warning

The best defence against this type of fraud is not technological: it is information. The more people know that 912016000 is being used to deceive by posing as Securitas Direct, the fewer victims there will be.

If you have received a call from this number, share this information with family and friends, especially with elderly people who may be more vulnerable to this type of phone pressure. A timely warning can prevent a serious upset.

And remember: no trusted security company needs to ask you for details over the phone that it already has. If they do, something is wrong. And that something is not you.