I just got a cell call (not answered) from [phone] (RUSSIA)

[hlthe2b]

just fair warning. Don't answer your phone unless you check the number first. Had I answered, I may well have been out $$, not to mention the scam itself.

[brooklynite]

1. Are you sure it wasn't 720-770-4823 (Sedalia, Colorado)?

[hlthe2b]

2. It came through with (Russia) in parens after the +7 prefix (which IS the country code for Russia)

and since my own phone has a 720 area code, that is not a number that would have gotten my attention. Somehow having a +7 country code and number showing up just as I posted, would hopefully get ANYONE's attention.

But, if you don't glance down at your phone, you may get suckered. This is a known scam, as merely answering triggers BIG phone charges.

[FSogol]

3. We checked the line....the call is coming from the White House. Get out now!

[hlthe2b]

5. funny,but see my post #4. This is actually serious

[FSogol]

6. At the FSogol homestead, we don't answer, unless we know the caller.

Calling back an unknown number is idiotic.

[hlthe2b]

7. Obviously, but people do pull their phones from pockets and unthinkingly answer, thus the warning

[FSogol]

8. From the article, the charge comes from people calling that number back.

If you miss a call, would you automatically recall them without looking at the number?

I think phone scammers are scum, but they are easily defeated. Don't answer or call back numbers that you don't know. That's a fact of life here in 21st century America.

[hlthe2b]

9. that was ONE article... there was another that mentioned charges starting when you PICK UP...Google

I guess, I should just file this under no good deed goes unpunished, since my attempt to warn is apparently inciting your ridicule.

[FSogol]

10. I wasn't trying to ridicule you, I made a comment about the WH and Russia. Your warning is

timely and appropriate. The reason these scammers succeed is because people (especially older folks and the phone obsessed ) believe that calls must be important and callers, even unknown ones, should be treated politely. That mindset needs to change.

[hlthe2b]

11. ok... thanks... I know we are all Russia-centric right now, given circumstances, but...

sometimes it isn't paranoia.

[hlthe2b]

4. Googling this phone scam shows this: Beware of Area Code Scams

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-03-2012/area-code-scam-alert.html

Beware of Area Code Scams
A call lasting just a few minutes could cost you $20 or more

--snip--
If you try to contest such a charge with your telephone company, it may push back, saying that all it did was connect you to a foreign number that you willingly dialed, and that it has no control over the high per-minute costs.

In that case, you can go to the Federal Communications Commission website to tell your story. Or call the FCC Consumer Center at 1-888-225-5322. There's no guarantee you'll get the charges voided, but your tale could help build a case for tougher regulations against this kind of scam.

Your best strategy: Avoid the charges in the first place. Never call back a strange long-distance number. First look up the area code by going online or checking the area code charts in the front section of your phone book. Don't dial unless you know exactly where you're going.