In the wake of the huge WikiLeaks dump of CIA hacking information, everyone is on edge with protection the safety and security of their personal information. Similar to hackers, scammers are always looking for new ways to get their hands on your information, and ultimately, your cash.
Inc.com reports that scammers are now using certain area codes to hide behind their schemes.
Criminals may use robo-dialers to call their potential victims, and hang up before anyone picks up the phone. The idea behind this is to make the recipient curious about who the caller is, with the aim of getting the targeted victim to dial back. Sometimes they will call several times, increasing the chances that the call will be returned.
Another variant waits for the target to answer, then plays a recording of someone pleading for help or being attacked. The third version operates via text message, with the victim getting a text explaining that the sender is in danger and needs help (often making it appear as they texted the wrong number). The criminal may ask the victim to call or to text back.
The number attached to those messages are most commonly premium numbers, and the recipient who calls or messages back will be charged (sometimes quite a lot) for each response solicited.
So unless you know anyone from the following countries, it’s best to not answer or return calls from these area codes:
- 242 (Bahamas)
- 441 Bermuda)
- 784 (St. Vincent and Grenadines)
- 246 (Barbados)
- 473 (Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique)
- 809, 829, and 849 (Dominican Republic)
- 264 (Anguilla)
- 649 (Turks and Caicos)
- 868 (Trinidad and Tobago)
- 268 (Antigua)
- 664 (Montserrat)
- 876 (Jamaica)
- 284 (British Virgin Islands)
- 721 (Sint Maarten)
- 758 (St. Lucia)
- 869 (St. Kitts and Nevis)
- 345 (Cayman Islands)
- 767 (Dominica)