National Cybersecurity Line Sees Rise in Fraud Calls

In 2025, the Instituto Nacional de Ciberseguridad (Incibe) registered 142,000 consultations on their cybersecurity hotline, known as the 017. Nearly half of these queries were preventive, indicating a growing awareness among citizens regarding digital fraud. A significant portion of inquiries (17%) related to fraudulent purchases, particularly cases involving impersonation of supermarkets like Lidl. Citizens were advised to verify domain URLs and employ caution when interacting with online transactions, signaling an increased public vigilance against digital scams.

The rise in inquiries, especially concerning social engineering attacks via vishing and smishing tactics, highlights a shifting landscape in cybersecurity awareness. As citizens become more informed, they increasingly rely on institutional support rather than foreign technology solutions for their safety. This change potentially enhances national cybersecurity autonomy, reducing dependency on external tech for safeguarding personal information.