The FTC and FCC warn that a call that rings once and hangs up may be bait, because calling back can mean international or premium-rate charges.
If your phone rings once and stops, the safest move may be to leave it alone. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have warned about one-ring scams. The goal is not to trick you into talking. The goal is to get you to call back a number that costs money.
The scheme is called Wangiri, a Japanese term that roughly means "one ring and cut." Automated dialing systems place calls and hang up before anyone can answer. The callback may connect to an international or premium-rate service that charges unusually high fees. Scammers can receive a portion of those charges through the numbers or services they control.
The missed call is the bait. An unfamiliar number stirs curiosity, especially when you are waiting on medical results, a job interview or news about family. The FCC says automated callers may ring once or twice, sometimes repeating the process to raise the odds of a callback.
You may not know you were charged until your next phone bill arrives. Some callback numbers add international calling charges on top of per-minute fees. Some services play recorded messages or put you on hold, so you stay connected while the cost builds. Actual charges depend on the destination, your carrier, your plan and the service, so not every international callback costs the same.
The number may not look foreign. The FTC has linked area codes 268, 284, 473, 664, 649 and 876 to callback scams. These Caribbean locations share the North American Numbering Plan, so their numbers can look like US numbers even though international charges may apply. An unfamiliar area code is not proof of fraud, since legitimate people and businesses use international numbers too.
Getting a one-ring call does not mean your bank account, personal information or phone has been compromised. The main danger in the classic version is the callback itself. If you answer an unfamiliar call, hanging up generally avoids the premium-rate trap.
Staying on the line is different. Callers could try other tricks, such as impersonation or requests for sensitive details. Never give banking details, Social Security numbers, passwords or verification codes to an unexpected caller you have not confirmed independently.
The steps in the alert box above cover the basics. A few extras apply. The GSMA, an international mobile industry association, also suggests checking unfamiliar international calling codes. Many phones and carriers offer spam detection, call screening and blocking. If you rarely call abroad, ask your carrier whether outbound international calling can be restricted on your account.
If you already called back, keep a record of the number, date, call length and any odd charges. Your provider may ask for them. The FTC recommends disputing suspicious charges with your phone provider. You can report unwanted calls through DoNotCall or the FCC's complaint center.
Watch for the same unfamiliar number ringing briefly more than once, especially when you are expecting real news. A real caller will usually leave a voicemail or try another way to reach you. If you are unsure, contact the organization yourself using a number you trust.
Do not call back a number that rang once or twice. Wait for a voicemail, or contact the organization yourself using a number you trust.
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