Beware of the One Ring: Understanding the 'Wangiri' Scam Phenomenon
A blog post by Cyber Search.
What is the 'Wangiri' Scam?
The 'Wangiri' scam, which roughly translates from Japanese as 'one ring and cut', is a widespread phone scam where victims receive a call that rings once and then disconnects. The intention is to pique the recipient's curiosity, prompting them to return the call. When the individual calls back, they are often charged excessive rates or connected to a premium number that siphons money from their account as they stay on the line. These scam calls can come from various international numbers, making it challenging to immediately recognize them as suspicious.
How to Protect Yourself
To safeguard yourself against the 'Wangiri' scam, it is vital to be cautious with missed calls from unknown international numbers. Refrain from calling back numbers you don't recognize, especially if they have only rung once and left no message. You can also use Cyber Search's phone lookup service to investigate unrecognized numbers before deciding to engage. By entering the suspicious phone number into the Cyber Search database, you can potentially identify it as a scam number that other users have reported, thus avoiding the trap.
Managing the Risks
If you have fallen prey to this scam, promptly contacting your phone service provider could help mitigate the damages. They might be able to block the number and keep an eye on similar calls in the future. Additionally, reporting the number to the proper authorities can assist in preventing further cases. Remember, staying informed and vigilant is your first line of defense against such deceptive scams.
Prevention and Awareness
Preventative measures include adding your number to a 'do not call' list and installing call-blocking apps that help identify and stop potential scam calls. Staying up-to-date with common scam scenarios will also heighten your awareness and ability to recognize suspicious activity. Sharing information about these scams with friends and family can help protect your community from these predatory tactics.