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Alicante Policía Nacional warns of rising scams and car thefts
Cybercrime up 14% in 2025 with vehicle break-ins also on the increase
The Policía Nacional in Alicante is urging residents to stay vigilant as online scams and thefts from cars continue to climb. Between January and September 2025, cybercrimes in the province rose by 14% compared to the same period in 2024, outpacing the national average of 8%. Computer scams led the way with a 12.1% year-on-year increase, making up the bulk of digital complaints.On the streets, thefts and break-ins from inside vehicles have also ticked up slightly. Officers have noticed more cases where people leave valuables like cards or devices with serial numbers in plain sight, making them easy targets. From 2026, the new mandatory vehicle identification devices will add to the problem if left in glove compartments.
Among the most common cyber scams hitting Alicante, the fake bank call stands out. "It's the call or SMS from our supposed bank. They urgently warn us that fraudulent transfers are being made to our account, and in the end, we give them our passwords. What we're doing is handing criminals easy access to our bank and our money," the police explain. Fraudulent holiday rentals trap visitors with tempting photos, while the "son in trouble" scam preys on families by creating panic. Fake investment schemes lure people into groups that pressure them to hand over cash.
For car thefts, the advice is clear: do not leave valuables visible, note down serial numbers or take photos of devices like emergency beacons, and always remove bank cards. Set up a family security code for urgent calls too, and double-check before sharing bank details.
The good news is that serious crimes like homicides have dropped, with a 100% clearance rate for crimes against life. Overall crime-solving rates improved in 2025.
Police also recommend downloading the Alertcops app to report issues quickly.
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