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Who’s calling now? That number doesn’t ring a bell. Hold the phone, says the Federal Trade Commission. You could be a potential victim of the growing "one-ring” cell phone scam.

Here’s how it works: Scammers are using auto-dialers to call cell phone numbers across the country. Scammers let the phone ring once — just enough for a missed call message to pop up.

The scammers hope you’ll call back, either because you believe a legitimate call was cut off, or you will be curious about who called. If you do, chances are you’ll hear something like, “Hello. You’ve reached the operator, please hold.” All the while, you’re getting slammed with some hefty charges — a per-minute charge on top of an international rate. The calls are from phone numbers with three-digit area codes that look like they’re from inside the U.S., but actually are associated with international phone numbers — often in the Caribbean. The area codes include: 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849 and 876.

If you get a call like this, don’t pick it up and don’t call the number back. There’s no danger in getting the call: the danger is in calling back and racking up a whopping bill.

If you're tempted to call back, do yourself a favor and check the number through online directories first. They can tell you where the phone number is registered.

If you’ve been a victim of the “one-ring” scam, try to resolve the charges with your cell phone carrier. If that doesn’t work, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.

And as a general rule: Read your phone bill often — line by line. If you don’t recognize or understand a charge, contact your carrier.

I’ve got to go now; my cell phone is ringing.

Scams

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Amy
April 11, 2017
Block the number, and move on
CJ
April 18, 2017
Wow, this is 2 years old and still going on. The calls here are all coming from 412-735 numbers. Seven different numbers so far. They even go so far as the point to leave a message and then silence and then hang up. Keep blocking the numbers on the phone, had to go to do not disturb except for contacts to prevent the ringing. Block the number after recent calls and they then use another fake number. Very annoying but at least I can set the phone to only ring for contacts. Any other valid calls can leave a message for call back.
PETEY 101
April 25, 2017
Its a Rhodesia number, that when I called back, cost me $US 8.75 A MINUTE, and they (the con artists with the Pakistani accent) get a cut of that. Big scam. Doesnt cost to receive a call from Rhodesia, but costs big time, when curiosity tempts me to call back and see who called ME. The number comes up as Nevada, but really is caller-id-spoofed to seem like its local.
Stephie
April 27, 2017
I just got a call from 404-744-5982 with a robot voicemail about medical alert service.
jjcoca
May 24, 2017
Please be advised on facebook a friend asked to join a federal grants that were being distributed to retired persons. I was scammed for $3,000 Wal-Mart to Wal-Mart transfer by a Frances and Sherry . I am working a detailed evidence of the horrible scam that I was scammed in Santa Fe, New Mexico. By messenger on April 1,2017 I have copied the text messages word by word. I am in debt behind in my mortgage and I borrowed a loan. I believed in this government grant to be awarded to me. What do I do to continue my suffering debt and scam that was done to me. Please help me I was devasted and out of money. I am on fixed income 62 years old. I know Frances She is 73 years old from Taos, New Mexico. I have reported this scam in Santa Fe, New Mexico with the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
FTC Staff
May 24, 2017

In reply to by jjcoca

You can search for loacal programs to help pay for food, utilities, housing, medicine and more at BenefitsCheckUp.org. Also, the ElderCare Locator has lists of local programs that offer help with finances, health care, home repairs, housing, transportation and other topics for older adults.

Venessa
May 31, 2017
I just received a call from 813-863-9770, when I answered they hang up. And I always get calls from 201-605-7860 and 214-273-2897 about 6 to 10 times a day. They are ALL SCAMS
What is this?
June 01, 2017
I got a number from 90-510 please reply what that is.
ATTN LOCAL LAW…
June 10, 2017
JUST RECEIVED A PHONEY CALL FROM V61018043100151 WHICH ALSO SHOWED A NUMBER IN MASSACHUSETTS 774-539-0013. NO SUCH NUMBER LISTED IN MA. HOWEVER, THE FIRST NUMBER IS PAID BY SOME ONE TO BE ABLE TO USE ANY NUMBER WORLD WIDE. DO NOT PICK UP ANY NUMBER YOU DO NOT RECOGNIZE OR YOU MIGHT GET A HUGE PHONE BILL FROM THE CROOK.
annoyed at thi…
September 18, 2017
This number calls my office phone constantly. they call every night, 2 or 3 times a night.(I know this because the caller id at my company goes to my email) They don't leave a message. They just called now, first time they've call during normal business hours. No one was on the line. Getting so annoying, especially since I work for a HUGE company. SO ANNOYING.
Bob in Atl
September 22, 2017
Opt out should let us block all calls from these area codes. At a minimum, put Caribbean on a separate country code from 1+.
whyme_whynot_trump
October 01, 2017
Unfortunately, FTC is scam as well. They take the money on phone bill and we pay taxes that is for nothing of good value in return, FTC does nothing to protect us. What a pathetic government. They are decade behind hackers with no plan to catch-up. I wish they call our beloved one of a kind president's number this many times they call us.
anonymous
November 01, 2017
First I got a call from (253) 293-8331 Marriott saying they were Marriott and that my number had been selected, like as if I'd won something. That was a computer. Next, a woman comes on, you can hear the telemarketers in the background. She asked me if I was over 25? *I said YES. OH NO... THat's where I probably went wrong. Did they record me saying YES? I hung up. Next I got a phone call from this number, saying they are American Express: 253 293 6928 Then I pressed zero, the guys asks me, are you an American express card holder? I hung up. SCAM ALERT~!!!
tired
November 07, 2017
they call me at least 4 times a day from this and others numbers, they dont stop, same time everyday
gp
November 10, 2017
There should be a way to block numbers that don't have their name identified I get called by (Caller) 1 786 204 3438 a least 1 time every other day.can't get rid of him because I can't block him and if I did it would bring up another name
wnygrl585
November 22, 2017
585 764-9467. This is a spam caller. Just rings no message amd hangs up on 1 ring. I have recieved this call from this person on ATT multiple times. I dont pick up calls
Sebastiano P
November 29, 2017
I am in Alabama and got phone calls twice today and one arrive at 7:12am from this number 301-549-5190. As soon as I called back they hanged up on me. Then I tried to call back and kept getting a busy signal. It's a scam for sure. Do not give out any private info also share this on your SM pages and with your family and friends, specially, elder folks who are easier to fool.
PA Resident
December 16, 2017
Claims that something expired and I will be taken into custody by local cops and that there are four serious allegations pressed on my name at the moment. I must call them to discuss this case before they take any legal actions assist me. They repeated that I had to call 760-249-2048 two times in the message.
design
December 18, 2017
They say our business is signed up for a website design, I told them I have a website. They hung up.
Merdel
December 22, 2017
I received 2 calls from this number : 646 6541 2562 while I was out, I don't recognize the number and refuse to call back. Please let me know if you have received calls from this number as well. Thanks
ButterflyEffect2021
September 14, 2021

In reply to by Merdel

PLEASE, IF A PHONE NUMBER POPS UP AND LOOKS SUSPICIOUS & ITS NOT SOMEONE YOU KNOW (DOESN’T INDICATE SOMEONE IN YOUR CONTACTS LIST), JUST IGNORE THE CALL! DO NOT ANSWER OR CALL THE NUMBER BACK BY ANY MEANS! LOOK AT IT LIKE THIS, IF ITS SOMEONE THAT NEEDS TO REACH YOU, THEY WILL LEAVE A MESSAGE OR THEY WILL FIND ALTERNATE MEANS TO REACH YOU! ITS JUST NOT WORTH RISKING YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!
RJW
December 24, 2017
If its not in my contacts I DON'T ANSWER IT, why bother, it's either a scam or a con. If they don't leave a message then it was a scam, if they leave a message and it's worth calling back, I will, if not then it goes on the REJECT LIST.
US VETERAN
December 28, 2017
Got a call from 800-628-8648. one ring then hang up. can't find anything on google about it being a scam or not.
ButterflyEffect2021
September 14, 2021

In reply to by US VETERAN

These scammers use call spoofing! You’re wasting your time trying to find info online. Even if you look up the number online, it won’t get you anywhere because it will NEVER be the real number they’re calling from! These scammers will even spoof the call to appear that the call is coming from the same area code and prefix as your cell or landline, but that’s not the case. Don’t answer it! Let your voicemail pick up the call & if it’s important, they’ll leave a message or contact you by alternate means!
Loopmaster
January 09, 2018
Called 4x, last call left message, could not understand, sounded like indian accent, sounded angry
trigger
January 11, 2018
beware 972-447-6306
David W
February 05, 2018
Why cant i talk to someone with a 701 area code
Ms G
January 22, 2018
I live in Detroit. But I kept getting 313 calls on cell from Dearborn,MI. The more I block the more my phone ring. When I try to trace the number it takes me all over the place. It is all 313-251 I have about 20 different numbers. Please tell me how to stop them. I am so tired and fed up that I’m in the process of writing a letter to the Michigan AG to help put a stop this. I am ready to file a police report it is just that bad
Slims
January 31, 2018
Just started getting these yesterday. +261200100239
Marty mar
February 05, 2018
Please don’t type the number in a normal format. Hate for someone to accidentally tap it and dial.
Anonymous
February 06, 2018
I got a one second call/ring from +386 49 823 544
tderevko
February 08, 2018
Getting calls from a number from Slovenia (+386). Exactly the same thing.
ME2
February 13, 2018
Had 2 missed calls at 5:29 a.m. from 225 49 84 23 89. Checked area code and number from Ivory Coast?? Blocked number.
Jjalisawandic
February 16, 2018
661-759-9036 is a scam number
Vancouver Canada
February 20, 2018
here's a new one 1-866-512-8756. Left a very threatening voice mail. No specifics but very urgent somehow. Heavy accented call centre.
financementsoccer
February 21, 2018

In reply to by Vancouver Canada

1-866 is like 1-800. Just received a fake call saying Revenue Canada, tax, lawsuit and arrest! It is possible in 2018!!!

ToddFromStateFron
March 01, 2018
706-756-0343 one ring scam
Stop calling me
March 01, 2018
Yup, got a call from a 917 number (ny city) all day today. I would pick up and just listen, not saying anything, and they would hang up. Then they called again and I said "who is this?!" After a long pause (fishing for my name in her file), A foreign woman says is (my name) there? She said was from the United States (indecipherable) Dept. I told her to take me off her list and she hung up. Not 30 minutes later they call again, this time a foreign man. I asked who he was he said the u.s. (Indecipherable) Dept and I said "can you spell it? I can't understand you" and he hung up. I called back and it said this number is not allocated.
ddva
March 06, 2018
+ 233 55 364 4714 first time it said united states, then the second time they called it said Ghana. I blocked the number.
Concerned citizen
March 10, 2018
I have been targeted by this one ring scam and I live in the UK yet google searches aren't coming up with any reports of this in the uk,sadly I messed up and called back,now I'm signed out of sites and apps that I wasn't previously and my phone keeps saying I'm using private browsing mode when I'm not,I darent even attempt to check my bank or phone account as one article I read said there's another version of the one ring scam where the get your data on calling back and you're then made a victim of ID fraud so right now I'm terrified,especially with my phone acting so weird since that call too,and I have no idea what to do,although I feel contacting the police may be a start,hopefully they can help me or point me in the direction of where I need to go to get help,any advice is greatly appreciated,thanks guys! Stay safe and may god bless you
FTC Staff
March 14, 2018

In reply to by Concerned citizen

If you think your phone or computer are not secure, do not use them for banking or shopping.

If you think there is a virus or spyware on your computer, use these tips to rid of that malware. Then update or download legitimate security software, and scan your computer. Delete anything the software says is a problem.

If you told a scammer your account passwords, change the passwords on all the accounts.  Read more about tech support scams that interfere with computers.

francisco.
March 14, 2018

they make me repeated annoying calls, when I pick up no one responds, it seems it is scammer attempts 201-703-7281( 1:05 PM 3/14/2018) and 201-877-3466 last time 5:26 PM 3/14/2018

Macellan
March 16, 2018
You can block the number/Auto reject it with an IPhone as well. Just add it to the "Blick Call/Auto Reject list.
Fed up
March 19, 2018
Just received call from 202-801-3851 saying I was randomly picked from federal government to receive a grant of 9200 dollars that I don't have to pay back all they need is my checking account information to put into my account because it's so much money they don't want to send a check or a credit card information to put it on my card! Seriously I asked him for his name and department and he said Steven Mckensie and in the federal grant department and health and welfare department! Lol can you believe this guy! I then told him this was a scam and he started yelling ma'am if you don't believe me just hang up the phone again and again as if he could not hang up on his end this continued as I asked for more informative from him by the way did I mention he had an Asian accent. Unbelievable
john
March 20, 2018
recveived two calls from +248 2 704 700
zz
March 21, 2018
I keep getting calls from 112696606462 but nobody answers.
DavidCS
March 23, 2018
Everyday I get a call from an 805 caller, even after I block it I get calls from it. Here's the messed up part, I just got this HTC from a friend who sold it to me for cheap and I was going to give it to my mom because I already have a cell. Long story short the only person who ever got this # was the woman at the courthouse (Idk who she was but she wasn't a clerk, lawyer or something) when I did jury duty. You have to fill out paperwork with your # and address, etc. I'm 100000% sure She sold all the info to who the hell knows. It was after that moment my HTC suddenly started receiving calls.
Carolyn
April 11, 2018
I added this to my auto phone messages “if you are calling to sell me something, please remove my name from I'm your list. Otherwise leave me a message and I'll call you back.” when I get a call from a number not in my addresses, I simply hit this response and I’m done. My spam calls have been done by 50% since I started this. Shooting for 100%. I also delete all numbers in my call back box weekly that I do not recognize. We do what we do to protect ourself.
EM
April 16, 2018
So I've been getting calls from numbers that start with 248-999-*** and they only have 9 digits which is kind of weird? I got 3 calls in the past 4 hours and it's super annoying. Anyone else getting calls from this number? How do I block them when each call is from a slightly different number?
bobby
April 26, 2018
got a call from 716 220 8643 saying no name of company on voice mail and says hope to hear from you before the charges are pressed against you, HAHA I got the same phony calls before saying I will go to prison and go to court all that junk they need to be caught and stopped from scaring people.