One Ring Scam! Don’t Return Missed Calls from Unknown International Numbers

  • 3
    Shares

Returning missed calls from unknown or unexpected International numbers can cost you or at the least, make you a likable target for online scammers and cyber criminals. Know how by reading the rest of post below.

One Ring Scam

We are talking here about the ‘One Ring Scam’, a racket that has been running across the country for quite some time.

What is this scam about?
In the ‘One Ring Scam’, scammers set up automatic dialers that call several random numbers per hour or so. The call, however, is set to ring only once, hanging up on its own. And given the usual tendency to return a missed call showing up on the mobile’s home screen, at least 1 out of 100 people will call back. And that is when the scam is said to have become successful. How?

When the victim returns the call, most of the times, they get connected to a paid international hotline of adult entertainment services. In this scenario, the victim will be first charged for getting connected to the hotline and then some more for the rest of the time spent on the call, probably engaged with random music and other sounds. And after sometime, the call will hang up on its own. The end result? The victim might notice a charge of Rs. 60/- to Rs. 600/- or more on their account summary or on their monthly bill.

So, where does the money go? The entire amount or a certain percentage of the ‘loot’ will be pocketed by the scammers who set up the calls.

There is another side of this story!
The One Ring Scam may not always charge its victims for returning the missed calls. Instead, the scammers accomplish another motive:

– By returning the missed call, the victim unknowingly informs the scammer that they actively use their phone and could be a potential target for a phishing attack in the future.

How to Avoid the One Ring Scam

1. If you do not recognize a missed call, do not call back.

2. Even if it is not a missed call, and the flashing number does not seem like it is from India, do not receive the call.

3. If you think it is important to return such missed calls or receive such calls, Google the number first along with its area code. Many use apps like True Caller that also helps identify unknown numbers. Odds are, you will find these numbers flagged as ‘spam’.

4. If you think you may have called back on any international number in the recent past, check your bills for any unknown charges. If you find any, get in touch with your operator. In most cases, charges get reversed once the call is investigated.

Important:

– Note that, most scam calls originate from regions such as Dominican Republic (809), Jamaica (876), British Virgin Islands (284) and Grenada (473).

– Also, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has advised customers to avoid receiving or calling back on unknown numbers with codes Pakistan (+92) and Belarus (+375).

To conclude, Quick Heal Mobile Security apps offer an easy way to block unknown and unwanted numbers.

Related Information:
Attackers trick victims into calling them back on premium-rate numbers

 

If you think this post is helpful, share it with your friends, family members, and acquaintances. If you wish to receive such alerts and security tips directly to your inbox, then click here to subscribe to our blog.

 

Sources:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
https://techcrunch.com
https://www.bbb.org

Rajiv Singha

Rajiv Singha

You may also like...

Netflix application looks alike Android Malware

Spammers Targeting Twitter – “iTunes Gift Card spam”

Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) – A Digital Nuisance

23 Comments

Your email address will not be published.

CAPTCHA Image

  1. Avatar Ankush • October 7, 2015 at 8:54 PM

    quick heal protection is out of date. Give me the proper guidance for update

    Reply
  2. Avatar Bruce Dawning • October 8, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    It is one of the most popular way for these scammers to earn money. I personally never answer any call if it comes from number I don’t recognize. I usually look up the number on sites like https://whycall.me before I decide to pick it up or not. When I see some reports have been filed, then I just ask my provider to block the number.

    Reply
  3. Avatar krishan kumar agarwal • October 10, 2015 at 11:31 AM

    thanking you

    Reply
  4. Avatar janu • October 10, 2015 at 12:30 PM

    i boughtfor 1 year guardian security but 3 day out of update why

    Reply
  5. Avatar Sajith • October 10, 2015 at 12:35 PM

    Hi Rajib,

    I have also heard that at times when we attend these kinda calls unknowingly which get disconnected afterwards, these fraudsters copy all our information from our cells like numbers and bank details in case if any one has stored and they can use it for banking frauds as well. Is it right? Kindly confirm.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • October 12, 2015 at 10:58 AM

      Hi Sajith,

      These are very advanced techniques and would require people to be on the call with them for a very long time. So it is best to hang up as soon as you feel suspicious about such calls.

      Regards.

      Reply
  6. Avatar UMESH CHANDRA LAL • October 10, 2015 at 1:22 PM

    Dear,
    I am having windows phone, will quick heal support the same as it support android ?

    Kindly let me know.

    Regards,

    UCL

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • October 12, 2015 at 2:21 PM

      Hi Umesh,

      Thank you for writing in. As of now, we do not support Windows Phone. However, if we have any plans for the future, we will gladly keep you informed.

      Regards,

      Reply
      • Avatar UMESH CHANDRA LAL • October 13, 2015 at 9:13 AM

        Dear Rajib,

        greetings for Navratri.

        Thank you very much for reply. As I am user of QH for my all computers since long, I am waiting for launch of QH for windows phone,at the earliest. It is hoped that QH will take a serious note on demand by prolonged users of QH.

        Regards,

        UCL

        Reply
  7. Avatar ravindra dattu dandekar • October 10, 2015 at 4:22 PM

    its a great and better of all

    Reply
  8. Avatar ravindra dattu dandekar • October 10, 2015 at 4:24 PM

    UPDATING THE MY LAPTOP

    Reply
  9. Avatar prateek singh • October 10, 2015 at 11:02 PM

    Thank you for informing but i got the call from an unknown international number and i had givenn a call back and 14 rs got deducted from my account. Do anything will happen by this.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • October 12, 2015 at 10:59 AM

      Hi Prateek,

      No, nothing else will happen here. The only thing is that you lost out on the amount paid for the call. In your case, this was a rather small amount so it’s okay. Try to avoid calling back on such numbers in the future.

      Regards.

      Reply
  11. Avatar vagh milan • October 11, 2015 at 7:42 AM

    this antivrous is so good
    my laptop full speed respond
    thnk you
    quick heal

    Reply
  12. Avatar Chez • October 11, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    Correct me someone if I’m wrong here, but on reading all this information it has nothing to do with ‘Quick Heal’ being out of date, has to be with malicious, spam phone calls. Which by the way, was an excellent message for all!

    Reply
  13. Avatar Lalit • October 11, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    Thanks for good information.

    Reply
  15. Avatar Akshit • May 6, 2016 at 3:21 PM

    Hi! By mistake I received a call from UK (+44) is it dangerous?

    Reply
  16. Avatar Sukhbinder Singh Bhogal • January 29, 2017 at 11:11 AM

    I have been receiving this type of calls since many days –
    1. +7 840 200-01-20
    2. +960 762-5184
    3. +960 762-5183
    4. +960 762-5171.

    My question is what if we receive these calls instead calling?

    Reply

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more