Scammers will go to any lengths these days and among all the other phone scams you have to be on the lookout for, the FCC is telling people to be aware of the ‘one ring’ phone scam.

This is different from some others in that the scammer is hoping someone will call them back after the one ring. The numbers appear like it’s a U.S. area code but the three digits usually trace back to somewhere international. The FCC writes

...for example, "232" goes to Sierra Leone and "809" goes to the Dominican Republic. 

A caller ID spoof may also be used to change the number that appears on your end.

If you do get a call from an unfamiliar area code, look it up, all it takes is a quick Google search. But to err on the side of caution, if you get a call from a number you do not recognize just don’t even answer it. If it’s important (and real) the person will leave you a voicemail or text you. 

But there are those scammers who will go the extra mile and actually leave a voicemail asking you to call back to “schedule a delivery” or notify you about a “sick relative.” This has SCAM written all over it!

If you do end up calling back you risk getting charged for toll-calls or international fees.

Here's a bunch of different frauds and scams the FCC has more information about.

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