Curiosity may have killed the cat, but curiosity could also lead to an expensive cellular phone bill. Iowans are being warned about a new scam that targets cell phone users. Jim Hegarty, at the Better Business Bureau, says it starts when either a scammer or their robo-call device contacts your cell.
“When they go to answer, the person on the other line, or if it’s an automated call, it just disconnects immediately,” Hegarty says. “The whole purpose of this is to get you to call that number back, just because you’re curious as to who called.”
If that curiosity gets the better of you and you decide to call the number, it could be very costly call. “It’s likely a premium adult entertainment line that’s located in Grenada or Jamaica or Costa Rica and it’s going to charge your cell phone extravagantly,” Hagerty says. “It could be a $20 charge or even more.”
Legally, you made the call so you’ll be responsible for the charge, though Hegarty says if that happens, report it to your cell phone carrier and it’s possible you can get the charge reversed. He says to always review your bills carefully, line-by-line, to insure you haven’t been the victim of this sort of scam.