The Federal Communications Commission is warning consumers against scam robocalls officials say are targeting specific area codes in bursts.
The calls are mostly coming from “222” and “232” country codes which are from the West African nations Mauritania and Sierra Leone.
In a press release, the FCC advises not calling those numbers back; the calls often result in per minute toll charges.
The FCC says the call is a “One Ring” scam, which happens when a robocaller calls a number and hangs up after a ring or two. They may call repeatedly, hoping you call back and run up a toll that mostly is paid to the scammer.
The FCC released the following tips:
• Do not call back numbers you do not recognize, especially those appearing to originate overseas.
• File a complaint with the FCC if you received these calls
• If you never make international calls, consider talking to your phone company about blocking outbound international calls to prevent accidental toll calls
• Check your phone bill for charges you don’t recognize
Filing a complaint with the FCC
• If you are billed for a call you made as a result of this scam, first try to resolve the matter with your telephone company. If you are unable to resolve it directly, you can file a complaint with the FCC at no cost.
