One Ring Call Scam: Heed the FCC’s New Warning

By Jen D., May 20, 2019

Have you recently received a phone call where the caller only rung once and then hung up? Whatever you do, don’t call back, unless you want to be scammed!

It’s true; one ring scams are on the rise. The Federal Trade Commission just issued a warning in May of 2019 about this type of fraud, through which scammers try a defraud consumers by “prompting expensive call back(s).”

Curious how this type of scam works? Keep reading to find out!

What Is the One Ring Phone Scam?

A number you don’t recognize calls you once and hangs up after one or 2 rings. Unbeknownst to you, the call is a robocall and from a scammer. They may continue to call you and hang up, just like the first time. You begin to wonder if the call is essential.

You finally call back the missed number and a person or recording answers. The goal of this recording or individual is to keep you on the phone, which will charge you a pay per minute long distance fee. This money will be collected (in part) by the scammer. This type of cost is similar to the kind that 900 phone numbers assess.

One Ring Phone Scam Area Codes

Although the FCC reports that these fraudulent calls can originate from anywhere, the agency is aware that there has been a recent surge from international numbers. Domestically, many of the one ring scam calls are happening in states such as New York and Arizona. Often, the missed call will show as a 222 or 232 area code, which originates from (Mauritania) Africa and Sierre Leone.

How to Prevent One-Ring Call Scams

When someone calls you, check if it is from a number or contact you recognize.
If the scammer hangs up immediately, you can ignore the call and see if they leave a voicemail or search the number on Social Catfish.
Even though it might be tempting to redial the missed call, avoid doing so. It is not likely that anyone important would only call once and not leave a voicemail message.
This scam preys on curiosity and hopes their victim will call back. Since they may call you several times, it might get increasingly tempting to return their call. Report the number who called you, whether you were scammed or suspicious of a scam to the FCC complaint division:
https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/
If you do get charged money by calling them back, contact your phone company and let them know what happened.

Although it’s impossible to stop scammers from trying to call you; a good practice is only to answer calls you are expecting or that originate from individuals or phone numbers you know. If a scammer calls and you answer or call them back, hang up quickly once you realize and check your phone bill for subsequent fees.

Curious about the missed calls on your phone? Social Catfish can help you find out who called you before you get scammed out of your money!