One Stop Communications

  • Home
  • Internet
    • Mifflin County Wireless
    • Viasat Internet
  • Satellite TV
    • DISH Network
  • Additional Services
    • Alarm Equipment
    • Alarm Monitoring
    • Home Automation
    • Medical Alert​
    • Paging Service
    • Phone System - VoIP
    • Two Way Radios
    • Video Surveillance
    • Voice Pagers
  • Contact Us
  • Central PA Webcams
  • News
  • Home
  • Internet
    • Mifflin County Wireless
    • Viasat Internet
  • Satellite TV
    • DISH Network
  • Additional Services
    • Alarm Equipment
    • Alarm Monitoring
    • Home Automation
    • Medical Alert​
    • Paging Service
    • Phone System - VoIP
    • Two Way Radios
    • Video Surveillance
    • Voice Pagers
  • Contact Us
  • Central PA Webcams
  • News

Beware of Cell Phone Scams!

8/26/2011

 
Picture
Check out the email below recently sent out by MyWireless.org.  They have some great tips to avoid some common scams.

MyWireless.org is always on the lookout for wireless consumers and we want to warn you about a recent increase in online and wireless scams.

THE 'MISSED CALL' SCHEME: A NEW TWIST ON AN OLD SCAMThis scheme involves scammers calling a customer’s phone, letting it ring once or twice and then disconnecting the call so that the number remains on your call log. Sometimes they might leave a voicemail. The number shows up as a missed call and is typically a normal three-digit area code that would appear to be a U.S. number, but it’s actually an international number. For example, 809 is the Dominican Republic, 876 is Jamaica, 284 is the British Virgin Islands, and so on. When you return the call, you’re automatically routed to an international adult entertainment or chat line in a non-U.S. Caribbean island location, where you can quickly rack up expensive charges. While major wireless companies work to block suspicious numbers on their networks, and most have consumer education systems in place to identify and combat these threats, these scams originate outside the reach of U.S. regulators and wireless providers.

Tips to Keep You Safe:
  • Always check the area code before returning a missed call to ANY unknown caller.
  • Be skeptical about area codes you don’t recognize.
  • Be aware that there are numerous three-digit area codes (mostly in the non-U.S. Caribbean Islands) that connect callers to an international phone number.
  • Don’t respond to text messages or calls from unknown sources. Delete them immediately.
  • If you don’t regularly make international calls, ask your wireless carrier to block international calling.
UNKNOWN OR UNSOLICITED TEXT MESSAGE SCAMThis scheme is called ‘Smishing’, which is a combination of ‘Short Message Service’ text messaging and email ‘Phishing’. It involves your responding to what appears to be a legitimate text message you received, even though it’s from a number you most likely don’t recognize. Doing this can place yourself at greater risk for identity or information theft at the hands of crafty cyber thieves. This simple bait-and-hook fraud allows crooks to use auto-dialing or roll-texting computer programs to text you on your wireless device. The message encourages you to click a link or call the number back (the bait). The message often is based on some urgent action, such as “NOTICE! Hurry, your credit card has been deactivated or suspended. Go to this link for help!” Maybe you’re in a hurry, or maybe the message looks like it’s from a trusted source such as your bank. However, when you visit the website (the hook), you’ve unwittingly given the criminals access to your device, and they can attach dangerous spyware, malware, viruses, or spam to your device that gives them control of it and instant access to your personal (possibly financial) data.

Who's Looking Out for You and What Should You Do?
  • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has consumer advisories oninternational and text message scams.
  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also provides information on phone scamsand spam.
  • The National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) say these scams can potentially cost victims lots of money, and continue to monitor these illicit activities.
  • All major U.S. wireless companies invest substantial resources developing and implementing spam blocking technologies so you can safely use your device with your personal and financial data secure. But as SMS and MMS messaging usage continues to increase, they recommend to always use caution when you see a suspicious message or unknown contact pop up.
  • If you believe you’ve unwittingly been a victim of a scam like this, contact your carrier immediately. You should also file a complaint with the FCC and/or FTC, and report the activity to the NFIC and BBB to help save other consumers from becoming wireless call/text scam victims.
Thank you for taking time today to educate yourself on these potentially costly and dangerous issues. MyWireless.org promises to remain vigilant for you, and let you know when these unfortunate issues arise.

Sincerely,

MyWireless.org


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010

    RSS Feed

Picture
One-Stop Communications of Pa Inc. is an independent retailer. All trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners. Content of this site is protected by copyright laws and may not be used without prior permission of One-Stop Communications or their partners.  All information is subject to change without notice. 
OSC Login