Have you ever glanced at your phone and noticed a missed call from an unfamiliar number that rang only once and then stopped? You might feel tempted to call back, wondering if it is important. That single moment of curiosity is exactly what scammers are counting on.

Known as the One Ring Scam or “Wangiri” (Japanese for “one ring and cut”), this scam has been around for years and continues to trap thousands of people worldwide. Americans lost nearly $30 billion to scam calls in 2021, including one-ring scams. The simplicity of the tactic makes it difficult for phone carriers and regulators to shut it down completely.

Here is what you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Premium-Rate and International Fee Scams 

This is the most common version of the One Ring Scam. It works like this: 

  • The Call: Scammers use automated dialers to make thousands of quick calls, each ringing just once before disconnecting. 
  • The Trap: If you call back, you are unknowingly connected to a premium-rate international number. 
  • The Cost: You immediately start incurring hefty per-minute charges and connection fees. Scammers profit because they get a share of the call revenue. 

Many of these calls come from Caribbean or West African area codes that can look like U.S. numbers. Known high-risk area codes include 268 (Antigua), 284 (British Virgin Islands), 809 (Dominican Republic), 232 (Sierra Leone), and 222 (Mauritania).

This scam thrives on human nature. Our curiosity or the feeling that we might miss an important call often leads us to return the call. With caller ID spoofing, scammers can make these numbers look local, making it even harder to spot.

Plea for Information and Money Scams

While many One Ring scams stop at premium-rate charges, some evolve into more manipulative schemes:

Plea for Information Scams

After you return the call, the scammer might strike up a conversation pretending to need help. They may sound friendly or urgent, asking you to “verify” personal information such as your full name, date of birth, or even banking details. These pieces of information can be sold or used for identity theft.

Plea for Money Scams

In more aggressive attempts, scammers impersonate authority figures like lawyers, bank representatives, or even relatives in trouble. They create urgency by claiming you need to wire money or send a payment immediately to help someone or to avoid a legal issue. Victims have reported losing thousands of dollars this way.

Warning Signs You Are Being Targeted

  • Missed calls from unfamiliar or suspicious-looking area codes 
  • Calls that ring once or hang up immediately
  • Multiple one-ring calls in a short period
  • No voicemail or clear message left 

How to Protect Yourself

  • Do not call back numbers you do not recognize, especially if they only rang once. 
  • Check area codes online before dialing unfamiliar numbers. 
  • Learn how to spot different types of imposter scams. 
  • Ask your phone provider about blocking outgoing international or premium-rate calls. 
  • Use scam-blocking services or apps that automatically filter suspected fraud calls. 
  • Review your phone bill regularly for unknown charges 
  • Report the incident to your bank and local police, especially if you’ve suffered a loss. 
  • Report suspicious calls to the FCC or the FTC.

Stay Alert, Stay Safe

The One Ring scam thrives on curiosity and quick reactions. You can avoid becoming a victim by pausing before you return an unfamiliar call and knowing the red flags. Please share this information with friends and family, especially those who may be less tech-savvy, so they know not to fall for this costly trick.

Email your questions to abuse@chapman.edu. For any questions regarding Phishing Simulation and Phishing Simulation training, please contact infosec@chapman.edu.