One-Ring Phone Scam on the Rise
First time I saw this scam was at Scambusters:
The 809 Scam And Other Phone Cons
The BBB has recently issued a warning about the same type of scam:
Quote:
Concord, NH (January 30, 2014) - Consumers around the country report an increasing number of what is known as the "One-Ring Phone Scam." Perpetrators of this scam program their computers to blast out thousands of calls to random cell phone numbers, ring once, and then disconnect.
This scam relies on consumers calling back missed calls, which then connect them to a paid international adult entertainment service, 'chat' line, or other premium service located outside the country.
Victims who return the call are billed a $19.95 international call fee, along with per minute charges for the unwanted "premium service," which can be $9 per minute or more. In some cases, the scammers may only put through a small charge of several dollars, so it won't arouse suspicion.
Calls typically originate from outside the United States. One woman told BBB her caller ID indicated the call originated in Antigua or Barbuda (area code 268). Other consumers across the country report calls from the Dominican Republic (809), Jamaica (876), British Virgin Islands (284) and Grenada (473).
The practice of third parties placing unauthorized charges on wireless accounts is called "cramming." The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have reviewed thousands of complaints about the practice, and expect the problem to grow.
Better Business Bureau recommends if you don't recognize an out-of-state telephone number on your caller ID, ignore it and if you do answer, do not call back. Also you should check your cell phone bills carefully and inform your carrier if you spot any unauthorized charges. The earlier you document the fraud, the better your chances of having some or all of the charges removed."
One-Ring Phone Scam on the Rise - BBB News Center
Re: One-Ring Phone Scam on the Rise
This one is pretty simple for anybody with a lick of sense... either A. the caller realized he had dialed a wrong number, B. whoever was calling changed their mind, C. their call was interrupted by an incoming call to them, or D. the above mentioned scam. In all cases, calling makes no sense, because in all except "A" and "D", if importance warrants, they will call back. I don't have a problem ignoring calls that I don't recognize or have ID blocked, I guess you could say, in this case, ignorance is a plus...! Besides, my service blocks outbound international call attempts.
Re: One-Ring Phone Scam on the Rise
True Laidback, but most people don't have the knowledge you and others do. Take the elderly, or even a trigger-finger teen who knows how to do the call back thing. You know could have been an expected call they were waiting on and somehow it did not go through. Actually, we have been getting some of those where it only rings a short ring. I have not done the stupid thing of calling back and sometimes it is so fast the CID does not pick it up. I think this is a good idea to warn others about this scam. In fact, I will try to get the word out in other places. People lose their intelligence momentarily when it comes to phone calls...
Re: One-Ring Phone Scam on the Rise
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scratchycat
True Laidback, but most people don't have the knowledge you and others do. Take the elderly, or even a trigger-finger teen who knows how to do the call back thing. You know could have been an expected call they were waiting on and somehow it did not go through. Actually, we have been getting some of those where it only rings a short ring. I have not done the stupid thing of calling back and sometimes it is so fast the CID does not pick it up. I think this is a good idea to warn others about this scam. In fact, I will try to get the word out in other places. People lose their intelligence momentarily when it comes to phone calls...
Good points, Scratchy. I am of somewhat "advanced" age and am thankful I still seem to have most of my faculties. In other words I've Still Got It!!! Now if I could only remember where I left it...
