random call for help?

[Gill Blue]

nope, it's a scam.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/dont-return-calls-area-codes-190000153.html

Criminals target people simply by calling them. Intended victims receive a call on their phones from area code 473 which rings once and then disconnects, thereby arousing the call-recipient’s natural curiosity – “who just called me and from where?” Sometimes the caller actually allows the phone to ring long enough for the victim to answer -- after which the caller (or the caller’s robocaller system) makes groaning sounds or otherwise indicates that he or she is in distress and then hangs up, enticing the victim to wonder what is going on and call back.

 

[Dan F]

I can see where this would cost you money, but how does the criminal benefit from this scam?

 

[Runitis]

I can see where this would cost you money, but how does the criminal benefit from this scam?

In the article it says that international rates to call back are super expensive. They stated potentially $20 for the first minute. But still don't see criminal gain..


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[Dan F]

In the article it says that international rates to call back are super expensive. They stated potentially $20 for the first minute. But still don't see criminal gain..


Sent from my HTC One using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

Exactly - unless the scammers work for the phone company it seems pointless.

 

[Gill Blue]

it's a premium rate number, so part of the charge goes to the "business". kind of like the 976 numbers that were around in the 80's for calling psychics like miss cleo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premium-rate_telephone_number