Greg's Corner

Call this number back at your expense

While this particular phone scam has been around for years, the FCC and other government officials are warning consumers about the ‘wangiri’ or one ring scam. The term ‘wangiri’ was coined by the Japanese and is said to refer to the scam’s method of ringing someone once and hanging up. The way the scam works is that the scammer will call your phone once and then hang up before you can answer. They will do this multiple times usually late at night trying to make it seem like it’s an urgent phone call. They’re trying to get you to call the number back, but once you do they’ve got you.

The calls are coming from overseas. According to reports, the most recent calls are coming from either Mauritania or Sierra Leone. The phone numbers will show the international calling codes of either 222 or 232. If you call these numbers back you could be charged exorbitant fees by your phone provider. Not only is international calling expensive, but these numbers are set up as pay numbers much like 1-900 numbers. So on top of your carrier’s fee, you will be charged an additional by the minute fee from the overseas number.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfSHmMNZOwc%5D

The best way to protect yourself against this scam is to not call back a number you’re not familiar with. If the call is important. they’ll leave a message. There are also apps you can get for your phone that can block robocalls or overseas calls as well. Don’t expect your phone carrier to be willing to waive the charge either. By most accounts, the phone carriers are saying that it’s the customer’s responsibility to keep from being scammed.