We at B&J Bookkeeping and Taxes love helping businesses of all kinds save money and time by avoiding scams. Unfortunately, scammers of all kinds spend their days coming up with ways to do just that while you focus on your business. To help out, we will show you how to protect your business from the one ring phone scam.
1. What is One Ring Phone Scam?
Most spam phone calls to your business want you to buy the latest and greatest products or service you can’t live without. They want you to answer the phone, speak with them, and sign up immediately. This scam isn’t getting you to answer, it’s getting you to call them back. This is why they call, let the phone ring once, and hang up. You are intrigued. Could it be a lead for your business?
It most likely isn’t. It is most likely a scammer who wants you to call them back. These calls look like they come from inside the United States. They may even be from your own or nearby area code. These scammers can actually calling from anywhere from Africa to Central America.
Those who call back risk being connected to this phone number outside the United States. You may be charged a fee for connecting the call, as well as any and all per-minute fees for as long as they can keep you on the phone. The phone charges appear on your bill as an international call, toll call, or premium service. Topics used to keep you on the line include delivery schedules, IRS issues, or some offer that is too good to be true.
2. How to Avoid the One Ring Phone Scam
- You are under no obligation to answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize, especially from outside area codes. They will leave a message if they are legit.
- Do not call back numbers you do not recognize who rang once and did not leave a message.
- You may type in the phone number into a search engine and get results just as the one ring expires.
- Contact your phone provider to see if they can block all international numbers if your business serves only local customers.
Be sure to dispute any charges that appear on your phone bill that may be fraudulent. Not only should you not have to pay for a service you didn’t use, it may be a recurring charge.
Click here to learn more about the one ring phone scam from the Federal Trade Commission.
Avoid Business Scams in Houston
Finally, feel free to contact us to learn more on how our bookkeeping services can help you prevent and avoid these types of scams. We proudly serve businesses of all sizes and needs in Houston that need bookkeeping services.
