Beware of the "One-Ring Scam": This New Phone Fraud Could Cost You

Have you ever received a call from an unknown number, only for it to hang up after a single ring? If so, you might have encountered the latest phone scam trend.

Here's how this new scam works: You get a call, but it cuts off after just one or two rings, leaving you with a missed call notification from a number you don't recognize. Curiosity kicks in, who could it be? To find out, you might be tempted to call back. But don't! That call could connect you to a premium rate number, potentially costing you a lot of money.

This common phone scam is known as the "wangiri scam," which means "one ring and cut" in Japanese, or simply as a "ping call." The scammers' goal is to get you to call back, racking up charges because the number you dialed is often based overseas and heavily taxed.

To seem more legitimate, scammers might use local area codes or even call at inconvenient times to ensure you notice the missed call. Once you dial back, their job is to keep you on the line as long as possible.

The longer you stay on the call, the more you'll pay, making this scam a goldmine for the perpetrators, who often use automated systems to place hundreds of calls. A slight variation of the scam involves scammers hanging up just after you answer with "hello," hoping you'll return the call.

It's important to note that not every dropped call is a scam. Sometimes, telemarketers using automatic dialers can generate calls that accidentally disconnect. If it's a legitimate business, they'll try again or leave you a message. 

How to Protect Yourself: If you miss a call from an unknown number, don't call back. If you are not sure about a number, ignore it and let it go to voicemail. If it's important, the caller will either try again or leave you a voicemail or text message. Sometimes they may even accidentally leave a voicemail, but it is just the sound of silence. 

You can also block unknown numbers through your phone settings or use an app that identifies unwanted calls. Many phone carriers offer these services. If you're still concerned about missing something important, try looking up the number through a reverse lookup directory before calling back. Or alternatively, look the number up online, often if it a scam, it will have been flagged somewhere, by someone.