The new simple phone scam fooling Aussies
A new scam is targeting Australian mobile phone users by leaving multiple missed calls from unknown or overseas numbers in an attempt to get the user to return the missed call.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a warning about this scam method known as a wangiri scam, meaning “once cut” in Japanese.
“What typically happens is the scammer calls for just one ring then cuts the line leaving a missed call on the victim’s phone,” said Delia Rickard, Deputy Chair of ACCC.
“Then the victim calls the number back and they could be put on hold, have music playing or they could try and chat. The objective is to keep them on the phone for as long as possible.”
The scammers make their money by enticing people to call back the number, which will be a premium number that adds substantial charges to a person’s phone bill.
“There’s a complicated billing structure but people are charged more when they’re communicating over these numbers and the money makes its way back to the scammer,” continued Ms Rickard.
The dangerous part is that anyone can fall for this scam. Recently, a 10-year-old boy from Brisbane told his parents that his phone was being bombarded with missed calls from a number in Ascension Island, Africa.
The boy’s parents were concerned as he had only had his phone for a week, so they called the number starting with the area code +247 back.
The call was answered by a woman who didn’t speak English, therefore dragging the call out. The Brisbane family are still unaware of how much money they were charged for the call.
It is believed scammers can access phone numbers through random generators, online surveys, competitions or apps.
If you receive any missed calls from random country codes or premium numbers such as 19 or 1900, block the numbers immediately.
Ms Rickard advised that if you find yourself in this situation, call your phone provider and let them know what’s happened so that you can avoid paying the charges.
“Some mobile providers are prepared to do that, so it’s worth a try if you want your money back,” she said.
If you have been a victim of this scam, you are encouraged to report your experience to the ACCC’s Scamwatch Website.
Have you received missed calls from this scam? Let us know in the comments below.