One-Ring Phone Scam
The one-ring scam is officially documented by both the FTC and FCC. Scammers let your phone ring exactly once, then hang up. If you call back, you connect to an international premium-rate line in the Caribbean or West Africa, accumulating charges of $5+ per minute.
Reports
56M Americans affected 2024 (Truecaller)
First documented
2014
Last active
2026-03
⚠ This page documents a reported scam pattern for educational purposes. It is not a factual determination about any specific caller or number. Sources are cited for all statistics and claims. ZeroScam is not affiliated with the FTC, FBI, or FCC.
What the scam says
Your phone rings once from an unfamiliar number with an area code that looks like a U.S. number (268, 473, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849, 876). The call disconnects before you can answer. If you call back, you hear 'Hello, you've reached the operator, please hold' — while international per-minute charges accumulate.
5 red flags
Area codes 268, 284, 473, 649, 664, 767, 809, 829, 849, 876 are Caribbean/international despite looking domestic
One ring then hang-up is the defining signature — no voicemail, no message
Calling back can result in $5+ per minute international charges
FTC and FCC both list this as an official consumer scam alert
Charges may appear on your bill as 'premium services' or 'international calling'
What to do
Do not call back any number you do not recognize, especially from unfamiliar area codes
Look up the area code before returning any missed call
Ask your carrier to block outgoing international calls if you never make them
Dispute any unexpected international charges with your carrier
Report to FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
Report this scam
Source
FTC consumer.ftc.gov official alert; FCC fcc.gov official consumer guide
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/one-ring-phone-scam ↗Reported numbers using this pattern
Area codes associated with this pattern
Area Code 876 Scam Calls
Area code 876 belongs to Jamaica. The FTC and FCC warn that 876 numbers are heav…
Area Code 473 Scam Calls
Area code 473 (Grenada) is so frequently used in one-ring scams that it is somet…
Area Code 809 Scam Calls
Area code 809 (Dominican Republic) is on the FTC's official one-ring scam list. …
Area Code 268 Scam Calls
Area code 268 (Antigua and Barbuda) is on the FTC's official one-ring scam list.…
Area Code 649 Scam Calls
Area code 649 (Turks and Caicos Islands) is on both the FTC and FCC official one…
Area Code 284 Scam Calls
FTC-documented one-ring scam area code. 284 routes to the British Virgin Islands…
Area Code 345 Scam Calls
Area code 345 routes to the Cayman Islands. FTC and FCC consumer guides document…
Area Code 441 Scam Calls
Area code 441 routes to Bermuda. Documented in FTC and FCC one-ring scam consume…
Area Code 664 Scam Calls
Area code 664 (Montserrat) is on the FTC's official one-ring scam consumer alert…
Area Code 721 Scam Calls
Area code 721 routes to St. Maarten. Documented in FTC/FCC-citing consumer guide…
Area Code 758 Scam Calls
Area code 758 routes to St. Lucia. Appears in FTC/FCC-citing consumer guides for…
Area Code 767 Scam Calls
Area code 767 (Commonwealth of Dominica) is explicitly listed in the FTC's offic…
Area Code 784 Scam Calls
Area code 784 routes to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Documented in FTC/FCC-ci…
Area Code 829 Scam Calls
Area code 829 is one of three Dominican Republic codes (809, 829, 849) explicitl…
Area Code 849 Scam Calls
Area code 849 is the third Dominican Republic code in the FTC's official one-rin…
Area Code 868 Scam Calls
Area code 868 routes to Trinidad and Tobago. Documented in FTC/FCC-citing consum…
Area Code 869 Scam Calls
Area code 869 routes to St. Kitts and Nevis. Recently added to active scam-warni…
Country Code 232 Scam Calls (Sierra Leone)
Country code 232 (Sierra Leone, West Africa) was the subject of a specific FCC p…
Area Code 712 Traffic Pumping Scam
Area code 712 (western Iowa) is FCC-documented for traffic pumping — a legal but…
Area Code 218 Traffic Pumping Scam
Area code 218 (northern Minnesota) is FCC-documented for traffic pumping alongsi…
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Frequently asked questions
What is the One-Ring Phone Scam?▼
The one-ring scam is officially documented by both the FTC and FCC. Scammers let your phone ring exactly once, then hang up. If you call back, you connect to an international premium-rate line in the Caribbean or West Africa, accumulating charges of $5+ per minute.
How do I recognize a One-Ring Phone Scam?▼
Red flags: Area codes 268, 284, 473, 649, 664, 767, 809, 829, 849, 876 are Caribbean/international despite looking domestic; One ring then hang-up is the defining signature — no voicemail, no message; Calling back can result in $5+ per minute international charges.
What should I do if I receive a One-Ring Phone Scam?▼
Do not call back any number you do not recognize, especially from unfamiliar area codes Look up the area code before returning any missed call Ask your carrier to block outgoing international calls if you never make them
How common is the One-Ring Phone Scam?▼
56M Americans affected 2024 (Truecaller). First documented: 2014. Source: FTC consumer.ftc.gov official alert; FCC fcc.gov official consumer guide.
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Check your message →Source: FTC consumer.ftc.gov official alert; FCC fcc.gov official consumer guide
First documented: 2014 · Last active: 2026-03
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