Update: Wangiri Calls: Beware the "missed call" scam!

[#1]

Did you receive a missed call from an unknown international number?

Be cautious about the number you call back! Welcome to the world of “Wangiri Calls”.

The word “Wangiri” stands for the Japanese term “one ring and cut”. This incident has apparently originated in Japan.

“Wangiri Calls” is a widespread method of generating short calls and leaving a missed call notification on the display of peoples’ handsets. A fraudster will set up a computer to dial a large number of phone numbers at random. Each one rings just once and then hangs up.

The purpose of “Wangiri Calls” is to get people to call back to the number displayed on the phone screen.  People often see the missed call and believe that a legitimate call was cut off, or are simply curious as to who called, so they dial the missed number.  The number turns out to be a premium rate number; anything from advertising to “free prizes” or sex services.

 

Wangiri Fraud is often extended by keeping people on the call as long as possible. This scheme relies on this single ring method for a quick way to make money. The fraudster receives the revenue and the caller is charged an exorbitant rate for the call.

Four things to keep in mind:

1. Avoid calling back on an international missed call
    
2. Immediately disconnect in case you call back on international premium rate number
    
3. Do not share personal details
    
4. Follow-up with your operator, primarily by providing details of the number who called you

Click here for a list of numbers that are known to be fraudulent, so do take note not to return any ...

Learn more about Wangiri:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wangiri  (Wikipedia.org).



Have you experienced other prank calls? What were they like? Share with us so that we too can learn and not fall into the trap.

[#2]

Very useful info...Thanks a lot 

[#3]

Welcome

[#4]

Hyee all

[#5]

I also got the miss call from Maldives +960 900 702 7.  

I didn't call back.

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[#6]

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[#7]

[#8]

I received calls from Spain since middle of March 2017:

34518441729

34518441517

I did not pick up or return the calls.

However, very unfortunately,  when I received my latest Digi bill today, I am charged for sending 6  SMS to the same number from Spain early March 2017: 34447392737

I checked all my phone records, I did not recieved any miss call or SMS from this number. I don't have records I ever call or SMS to this number too. I don't know how do they manage to use my phone number to send out SMS?

I will be very appreciate if anyone can advise me what should I do or where should I turn to in order to solve this issue?

Or will Digi do something to stop this in the future?

[#9]

@jfxn, some devices have auto SMS reply when you reject their calls. Did you have that feature enabled on your phone?

[#10]

@MrOctopusK, my phone can decline calls by sending SMS, but not auto SMS. I need to manually tap the 'Message' icon to decline the call and the SMS will only being sent out.

Normally, the calls that I declined by tapping the 'Message' icon, those numbers will still appear in my call  log as 'missed call', and the SMS will appear in my phone as a message being sent out.

I checked all the records and logs in my phone, I never received any missed call or incoming call from this number: 34447392737. I never sent out any SMS  to this  number. I never received any SMS from this number too.

I only get to know about this number is from my latest Digi bill received yesterday. From the bill, there are 6 SMS being sent out in just 20 seconds.....

I really hope Digi can do something to stop this from happening again.... Just like what you have taken action on those short SMS numbers (really appreciate it).

[#11]

jfxn, please PM us ur phone number for further checking on this issue. Tq.

[#12]

Me?

[#13]

0162532078