Mobile users across India are falling victim to a costly phone scam that charges excessive rates for returning missed calls from international numbers. The Premium Rate Service scam has already affected numerous victims who were charged thousands of rupees for simply returning these calls.
“Never call back unknown international numbers,” warns Reliance Jio, in a mail to its customers. “These premium rate services can charge extremely high rates per minute, even for brief connections.”
How to protect yourself from Premium Rate Service scam
To avoid becoming a victim, users should immediately block any suspicious international numbers and never return calls from unknown foreign contacts. Any number beginning with a prefix other than India’s +91 country code should be treated with caution.
How the Premium Rate Service scam operates
Scammers initiate brief calls that disconnect before victims can answer, leaving a missed call notification. When curious victims call back these international numbers, they’re connected to premium rate services that charge exorbitant fees, often several hundred rupees per minute.
Identifying suspicious calls
The scam typically involves:
- Calls from unfamiliar international country codes
- Very brief ring duration before disconnecting
- Calls at unusual hours
- Multiple attempts from the same or similar numbers
Additional safeguards
Follow these preventive measures:
- Enable international call blocking through your mobile carrier
Report suspicious numbers to local authorities- Inform elderly relatives and vulnerable individuals about this scam
- Keep call records if you believe you’ve been targeted
Long-term Prevention
Telecom authorities are working with international partners to block known scam numbers, but new ones emerge regularly. Users are encouraged to stay informed about evolving scam tactics and share warnings with their communities.
The best defense remains vigilance and a simple rule: if you don’t recognize an international number, don’t call it back. Those who believe they’ve been victimized should contact their mobile service provider immediately to dispute any unusual charges.
