Have you been getting phone calls lately from unknown numbers or unusual places? There’s a new, quickly spreading phone scam that’s been very costly for victims. The scam is known as Wangiri, which is Japanese for “ring tone.” If you’ve had a call from 678-559-4636 in Vanuatu, you’ve probably been targeted by scammers. They call and let the phone ring once or twice and hang up. If you’re at all curious about whose call you missed, you may be tempted to dial the number. If you do, you are charged huge rates for every minute you spend on the call. Naturally, the scammer tries by all means to keep you on the line for as long as possible.
Above all, don’t call back! If you’ve already done so, immediately contact your telephone service provider and explain the situation. They’ll be able to advise you. Your phone company can block calls from scammers and notify the appropriate authorities. If you believe you’ve been the victim of scam, feel free to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Phone scams have been around for many years. Over time, we’ve noticed that they occur in waves, so the best way to protect yourself is to spread the word and stay informed. Naturally, we don’t want to live in constant fear. Instead, our goal is to be more alert so as not to fall for scams!
