Other LanguagesSEATTLE — Are you puzzled by a missed mobile call from Antigua, Barbuda, Jamaica or other exotic locations? No, you have not won a trip to the Caribbean.
Scammers are placing thousands of calls to random mobile numbers around the United States. The phone rings once and then disconnects.
Fraudsters hope you will call the number back out of curiosity. Do not call the number back, here’s why.
You are connected to a paid international hotline—usually adult entertainment—or other premium service located outside the country and charged $19.95 for an international call fee and an additional $9-per-minute.
A consumer that contacted the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) reported his Caller ID indicated the call originated in Antigua or Barbuda (area code 268). Other consumers across the country report calls from the Dominican Republic (809), Jamaica (876), British Virgin Islands (284) and Grenada (473).
The AGO recommends to think twice before answering unknown mobile calls — If you don’t recognize the number, don’t answer the phone. If it’s a legitimate call, they will leave a voicemail.
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