One Ring and You Could Be Out of Cash
Have you ever gotten a missed call from an unknown number, only to call back and be met with strange automated messages or high-pitched ringing? If so, you might have encountered a wangiri scam.
Wangiri, a Japanese term meaning “one ring and cut,” describes a telephone scam preying on people’s curiosity and fear of missing important calls. Here’s how it works:
The Ring and Dash: Scammers call your phone using automated dialers, letting it ring just once or twice before hanging up. This missed call notification is the scammer’s bait.
The Curiosity Trap: Seeing a missed call, especially from an unknown number, can pique your curiosity. You might call back, thinking it’s a friend, family member, or an urgent message. When you call back, the number connects you to a premium rate line, often international. These lines charge exorbitant fees per minute, racking up a hefty bill without you even realizing it.
Scammers might also use caller ID spoofing to make the number appear local or familiar, increasing the chance you’ll call back.
How to Protect Yourself from Wangiri Scams:
Don’t Call Back Unknown Numbers: Resist the urge to return missed calls from unknown numbers. If the call is important, the caller will usually leave a voicemail. If you’re unsure about a number, search it online. User-generated content on scam reporting websites (like this one, and this one) can often warn you of wangiri numbers.
If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a wangiri scam, report it to your phone carrier. They might be able to help you block future calls and potentially dispute any charges.
Be Wary of International Numbers: International calls, especially from unknown numbers, are more likely to be part of a wangiri scam. Be particularly cautious of country codes you don’t recognize or wouldn’t expect a call from. Here are some examples of country codes that have been linked to wangiri scams in the past:
+224 (Guinea)
+267 (Botswana)
+592 (Guyana)
Be wary of area codes similar to yours: Scammers may use cellphone number spoofing to make the number appear local. If you see an unfamiliar number with a local code, be extra cautious.
By staying informed and cautious, you can avoid falling victim to this phone scam. Remember, if a call seems suspicious, it probably is. Just let it go unanswered. If the call is legitimate or important the caller will almost certainly leave a voicemail message or will call you back later. A legitimate caller won’t call and let it ring once or twice and hang up.
Being informed, being wary, and being aware are the first steps that can help prevent you from becoming a victim of a wangiri scam.
You two are the BEST!! Thank you for looking after us and keeping us updated on all the garbage going around. I’ve followed you two since your early days and have always been pleased with all of your advice. Have a blessed week. Sheila Colbert
And don’t be alarmed if your own number comes up on your caller ID. Just don’t answer! 🙂
I don’t call back any numbers. Ever.
if it is from a private number! i respect their privacy and do not answer .
I don’t answer the phone since I have an answer machine. If somebody needs to speak to me they leave a message. Every other call whether it is a scam or simply a cold call hangs up before the message from the machine ends.
Thanks for the info. I have received many of these types of calls. I do not answer my landline nor call unknown numbers back. Apparently a good thing.
Thank you…D.