Montgomery County Police are warning residents to be cautious after an increase in reports involving the “one-ring scam,” a phone scam that can result in unexpected charges or fraud. Similar warnings have been issued across Maryland and beyond.
According to MCPD, the scam typically involves receiving a single ring or missed call from an unfamiliar number. When the recipient calls the number back, they may be connected to a premium-rate line, often based in another country, leading to excessive connection fees and per-minute charges that can add up quickly.
Police say scammers often attempt to keep victims on the line by using urgency, intimidation, or misleading claims in order to maximize charges. In some cases, the call may also be used as a phishing attempt to gather personal information.
MCPD advises residents to be especially cautious of missed calls from unfamiliar international area codes commonly associated with premium-rate numbers. Examples include 268 (Antigua), 284 (British Virgin Islands), 809 (Dominican Republic), 473 (Grenada), 876 (Jamaica), and 649 (Turks and Caicos Islands).
To reduce the risk of falling victim, police recommend avoiding return calls to unknown international numbers, particularly when no voicemail is left and the call was unexpected. Blocking the number is advised instead. Residents are also encouraged to regularly review phone bills for unfamiliar charges and report anything suspicious to their service provider as soon as possible.
If someone is curious about a missed call, MCPD suggests searching the number online before calling it back, as many scam numbers are flagged on public reporting sites. Extra caution should be used when dialing unfamiliar area codes, especially those tied to premium-rate services.
For those who believe they may have been affected, MCPD recommends reviewing phone bills immediately and contacting their service provider with details of the call, including the date, time, and number. Victims should dispute any fraudulent charges directly with their provider and report the incident to appropriate authorities and fraud reporting agencies.
Police emphasize that a single missed call may seem harmless, but returning it could be costly. When in doubt, it is safest not to call back.
