Beware the Silent Trap: One-Ring Phone Scams Targeting NY & NJ

New Yorkers and New Jerseyans, brace yourselves! A deceptive phone scam, popularly known as the 'one-ring' or 'wangiri' scam, is once again making rounds, threatening to drain your wallet with exorbitant international call charges. This isn't just an annoying telemarketing call; it's a cunning trap designed to trick you into calling back unknown numbers, often from obscure corners of the globe.

The modus operandi is simple yet effective: your phone rings once, perhaps twice, and then the caller hangs up before you even have a chance to answer.

Curiosity, or perhaps the thought of a missed important call, might tempt you to dial that number back. But here's the crucial warning: DON'T! These aren't innocent missed calls; they're bait, and dialing them back is exactly what the scammers want you to do.

These calls typically originate from international premium-rate numbers, often masquerading as domestic calls.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has long warned consumers about this scheme, which preys on our natural inclination to return a missed call. Once you dial back, you're connected to a line designed to keep you on hold for as long as possible, all while racking up significant per-minute charges, along with potential connection fees, directly on your phone bill.

These charges go straight into the scammers' pockets.

Many of these notorious area codes, although appearing domestic, actually trace back to various Caribbean nations, including Antigua (268), the Dominican Republic (809), and Jamaica (876), among others. It's a clever trick, as these three-digit codes often mimic legitimate U.S.

and Canadian area codes, making them harder to identify as international at first glance. Other common scam area codes include 473 (Grenada), 664 (Montserrat), 649 (Turks and Caicos), 767 (Dominica), 829/849/809 (Dominican Republic), and 876 (Jamaica).

So, what should you do if you see an unfamiliar international number ring once and hang up? The advice is straightforward: resist the urge to call back.

If you weren't expecting an international call, assume it's a scam. If it was truly important, the caller will likely leave a voicemail or find another way to reach you. Save yourself the headache and the unexpected charges by simply ignoring these suspicious calls. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and protect your finances from these relentless phone predators.