Spam and scam calls have become a routine occurrence for most people, but the scammers are always looking for ways to up their game. Knowing that many people will likely not answer a call from a number they don’t recognize, focus for many has turned to getting the victim to call them back. Some calls come in, ring only one time and then stop. If this happens, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is advising that you not call the number back as you may have been targeted for a “one-ring” phone scam. These may appear to come from somewhere in the United States, including the three initial digits that resemble U.S. area codes. But savvy scammers use international numbers as well from regions that also begin with three-digit codes. If you call any such number, you risk being connected to a phone number outside of the U.S. and can incur a connection along with per-minute fees for as long as the scammer can keep you on the phone. These may show up on your bill as premium services. Variations on the scam rely on phony voice-mail messages urging you to call a number with an unfamiliar area code to collect a prize or to notify you of a sick relative. To avoid becoming a victim: don’t answer or return calls to numbers you do not know; check the area code’s nation of origin before calling an unfamiliar number; ask your local wireless company to block outgoing international calls on your line; and be cautious at all times, even if a number appears authentic. If you have become a victim and incurred charges, you can try to resolve the matter with your phone carrier. If unable to resolve it directly, complaints can be filed with the FCC at no cost. Details on how to do so are included here.
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To file a complaint with the FCC:
Online: www.consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
By phone: 888-225-5322; TTY: 888-835-5322; ASL: 844-432-2275
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
45 L Street NE
Washington, DC 20554
