Crime & Safety
Scam Alert: Returning Missed Cell Calls Can Cost $20 or More
Montgomery County residents should be careful when returning missed calls on their cell phones, warn consumer advocates. The return call could cost you big bucks.
If you see a missed call on your cell phone, be careful about returning it, warns the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection.
Scammers are luring local cell phone users to return their call by hanging up before a consumer answers the call. Residents, believing that a friend or family member has called, return the call only to be slammed with international fees for as much as $19.95 in addition to charges of $9 per minute, warns the OCP. When a consumer returns the call, they will hear music, or an advertisement as the crook charges access fees to their phone.
To prevent these charges, consumers should:
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- Only return calls to known telephone numbers.
- Before returning a call to an unknown number, do an internet search on the telephone number.
- Contact your wireless provider and ask about blocking calls to your number.
- Remember, a legitimate caller will call back if they are unable to reach you.
For more information, contact the Office of Consumer Protection at (240) 777-3636, by Email at consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov, or visit OCP’s website at http://montgomerycountymd.gov/OCP.
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