Cell Phone and Long Distance Service Scams
There are so many ways to get ripped off these days that it is hard to keep track of them all. I've tried to compile a complete list of cell phone and telephone service related scams on this page, with links to the related documents and alerts. The best way to protect yourself as a consumer is to be well read and to go over your telephone bills very carefully each month.
If you know of other phone scams not reported here, please email us with the particulars to phonescams@calling-plans.com
Ebony Marketing Research Checking Scam:
This scam uses phones, email and a fake business address to make you feel secure. Then they send you a check to cash and you send them most of the money back, only to have the check bounce days later. Classic checking scam.
Social Engineering and Identity Theft Over the Phone:
Have you been talked into giving out sensitive information over the phone? It's the best and the easiest scam in the world.
Voice Mail Fraud:
Voice mail fraud is the practice of using default voice mail passwords to access a telephone system. The hacker then uses the password to access the phone system and to make domestic and international long distance calls.
Whipsawing:
Whipsawing is a form of international carrier extortion and prevents U.S. carriers from negotiating lower rates, to the detriment of U.S. consumers.
Fat Finger Dialing:
Don't misdial when making collect calls, or you could end up paying 2-3 times what you thought you were paying.
809 Area Code Scam:
Be careful which area codes you call, some of them go offshore and can cost you tons of money per minute. Always check the area code before you call!
9-0-# Telephone Scam:
Look out for fake telephone company employees trying to "social engineer" you into dialing 9-0-# for them, it gives them access to your phone system.
Mexico Collect Call Scam:
Consumers have been deceived into accepting collect calls from family members when, in fact, the call is from a stranger. The consumer is then fraudulently billed a large amount for a call that lasts a few minutes or less - or for a nonexistent call.
Telemarketing Scams:
A telemarketer, acting as an employee of an official agency, requests personal information from you, then uses it to defraud you through identity, or bank and credit card, theft.
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