Latest Phone Scam – One Ring Call-Back

It's late at night and the phone rings just once.  There's a # on the caller ID.  Should you call back?  NO!  Here's why.

According to the FCC, scammers are now hitting the area with what the organization is calling a "one ring" call back scam.  The situation evolves like described above.  Scammers target certain area codes in "bursts", usually phoning one # numerous times to create concern.

The goal of this very new and illegal scam is to make you concerned about this late-night call, so much so that you call the # left behind.  Then, when next month's phone bill shows up, you'll more than likely see an extensive charge for a "premium service", similar to a 1-900 call.

Recent #s left on caller IDs have been from area code '222', a West African Country Code, according to the Federal Communications Commision.

The FCC gives us a few general guidelines to follow:

1.  Do not call back numbers you do not recognize, especially those appearing to originate overseas.
   File a complaint with the FCC if you received these calls: www.fcc.gov/complaints
2. If you never make international calls, consider talking to your phone company about blocking outbound international calls to prevent accidental toll calls.
3. Check your phone bill for charges you don’t recognize.