New Wireless Phone Scam Making Its Rounds In The Duluth-Superior Area; Don’t Return “One Ring” Phone Calls

It's always something - especially with phone scams.  The latest is called "One Ring" and it's been targeting cell phone users in the Twin Ports.

The call comes to your cell phone and rings once.  If you return the call, you could potentially be connected to an international phone bank with connection and per-minute premium charges coming to your cell phone.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, here are the particulars you need to know:

• Your wireless phone rings once or twice and then disconnects the call.  When the number appears in your wireless phone log as a missed call, it appears to be a typical domestic telephone number; or you get an email or voicemail telling you to call a phone number with an “809”, “284”, “876” or some other three-digit international area code.

• When you return the call, you assume you are making a domestic long distance call – as “649,” “809,” “284,” “876” and other area codes involved in this scam, appear to be typical three-digit U.S. area codes.  When you dial the three-digit area code plus the number, however, you are connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and are charged expensive international call rates, and may be charged for pay-per-call services as well.  (For example, “649” goes to the Turks and Caicos, “809” goes to the Dominican Republic, “284” goes to the British Virgin Islands, and “876” goes to Jamaica.)

• You don’t find out about the higher international call rates until you receive your phone bill.

The FCC strongly suggests that you don't return missed calls from phone numbers you don't recognize.

If you believe that you have received one of these calls, the FCC suggests you report it by following one or more of these actions:

• File a complaint online
• Call: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
• Send your complaint by mail (please include your name, address, contact information and as much detail about your complaint as possible):  Federal Communications Commission, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau,Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division,445 12th Street, SW,Washington, DC 20554