Beware of the ‘one-ring’ phone scam

Local News

A renewed warning is going out about the so-called “one-ring” phone scam. The Federal Communications Commission says the goal of this scam isn’t to get you to answer the phone, but to call back.

According to the FCC, your phone will ring once then stop. The call may appear to be from a phone number somewhere in the United States. The FCC says scammers often use international numbers from regions that also begin with three-digit codes. Scammers may also use spoofing techniques to mask the number in your caller ID display.

The FCC says if you call the number, you could be connected to a phone number outside the U.S. and end up being charged a fee for connecting, along with significant per-minute fees. The scammers may leave a voice-mail saying that you won a prize.

The FCC has the following tips to avoid the scam:

  • Always be cautious, even if a number appears authentic.
