Alert - Beware of hoax messages about copying your contact list if you dial a number on your phone

Here's a message I received, it is a hoax (fake, false, not real), let's have a look at it and I'll explain why it and any similar message you might receive is nonsense.

>>>
Very Very Urgent ...*

Please pass this message to your family and friends.

People have been receiving calls from
tel:+375602605281,
tel:+37127913091
tel:+37178565072
tel:+56322553736
tel:+37052529259
tel:+255901130460
or any number starting from +371 +375 *381


These guys only ring once and hang up.
If you call back,bthey can copy your contact list in 3sec and if you have a bank or credit card details on your phone, they can copy that too...

+375 code is for Belarus.
+371 code is for Lativa.
+381 Serbia
+563- Valparaiso
+370- Vilnius
+255- Tanzania
These calls maybe from the ISIS terrorist organization
*Don't answer*
or *Call back.*

Also, Don't Press
#90 or #09
on your Mobile when asked by any caller.

It's a new trick which terrorists use to access your SIM card, make calls at your expense and frame you as a criminal.

Urgently forward this message to as many friends as you can, to stop any intrusion

<<<

Stop!

If you see any message that says "forward this to..." you should STOP! Think about it, is this genuine? How do you know? If you forward nonsense to others are you not just spamming them? Wouldn't it be a good idea to check first? 

Read it carefully

It says it is "very very urgent" and immediately tells you to "pass this message to your family and friends" - no, don't do what they say! 

How can someone who calls you on the phone access the data you have on your phone? The part about dialling a number; how can that be the case that a simple number can provide access to someone remotely? It is unlikely. Think it through, is this probable? Even if you are not sure, don't jump to the assumption that this message must be telling the truth, be sceptical!

The part about "terrorists" is there just to scare you, to reinforce the urgency. It's classic social engineering, be wise to such tactics! 

Again at the end it urges you to send it to others, this is always the biggest warning sign. 

Investigate

After a few seconds on Google I found the following article explaining how this is a hoax:

https://www.hoax-slayer.net/mobile-phone-misinformation-xalan-and-90-hoax/

Yes this Hoax Slayer website is trustworthy and very helpful.

Or if you have an IT department at work, ask them for advice to be sure. 

Where do these messages come from?

Such messages can be found on social media like Facebook, they can be sent through Telegram, Whatsapp or by e-mail. Just because a friend, family member or colleagues sent it, doesn't mean it is true. Remember they just sent it on too. If the message is from a completely unsolicited sender, then that's even more reason to be concerned. Yes, not everything is trustworthy, especially if you find it in the depths of Instagram, Facebook, a chat room, etc.

Chain letters

Before the internet there were chain letters. A letter would arrive on your doorstep. You'd read that you must copy and send the letter on to others. If you do not do this then something bad would happen to you. It was the same as the hoax explained here. It relies on scare tactics to spam everyone and scare others. That's the only purpose, it's disturbing why anyone would start a chain letter of any kind. There are definitely some sad people out there.

Conclusion

Please remember not to forward or copy/paste such messages to your friends and family. No one wants to be spammed or scared. Always take time to review such messages. Perhaps ask a trusted friend before re-posting such a message. Take care out there!