FYI = Avoid The ‘One-Ring’ Scam When you miss a cell phone call, do you automatically call the number back to see who called? If you don’t recognize the number or it’s “unknown,” it may be a big mistake. If the phone rings once (or sometimes more than once) and you return the call, you may be charged a $19.95 international fee plus $9 a minute for the duration of the call on your next cell phone bill. Here’s how to avoid being a victim: Look at the area code. These calls are primarily coming from Antigua and Barbuda (268), the British Virgin Islands (284), the Dominican Republic (809), Grenada (473), Jamaica (876) and Turks & Caicos Islands (649). If you call back, you’ll be asked to “hold for the operator,” incurring more charges. Search the number online to see if there are scam reports. But when in doubt, don’t call back. If you do return the call, notify your cell phone carrier immediately. Tell them you’ve been a scam victim, give them the details, request a refund, and ask if you can restrict “third-party billing” on your account. Verizon, for example, offers a free service called “Bill Block,” but you need to ask for it. Get it for both your cell phone and landline. Monitor your phone bills. These costs may show up as “premium services.” You should also check your mobile phone carrier’s policy on refunds for fraudulent charges. Some carriers may have a 60-day period for refund requests. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Go to ftc.gov/complaint and click on the FTC Complaint Assistant icon. While the FTC can’t resolve individual complaints, they use the information to crack down on scammers.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:22:56 +0000
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