Better Business Bureau January, 2013 Better Business Bureau Consumer Alert: Growing Concern Over New Cell Phone Scam Better Business Bureau is warning cell phone users about a new scam that can result in unauthorized charges appearing on their monthly wireless statement. Its called the One Ring scam because the scammers program computers to send thousands of calls to random cell phone numbers ring once and then disconnect. The scammers then hope you are curious enough about the call that you return the call right away. When the cell phone owner returns the call, they are charged $19.95 for the international call fee. After that, there is a $9.00 per minute charge. In some cases, scammers may put a smaller charge of several dollars to go under the radar. Consumers who have been tricked by these calls report that they are coming from the Caribbean Islands with the following area codes including: Dominican Republic (809), Jamaica (876), Grenada (473), and the British Virgin Islands (284). Because the same laws do not apply to international calls, it makes these areas ideal for scammers who wish to target U.S. citizens. If a person thinks they may have fallen for this scam, they should immediately alert their cell phone carrier and keep an eye on their cell phone bill. The earlier they document the fraud, the better their chances of having some or all of the charges removed. Dont call back numbers you dont recognize. If the call is important or from someone you know they will leave a message, said Blair Looney, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Central California and Inland Empire Counties.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 00:19:18 +0000
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