Second time today I received a call from this number...they don't leave a message. I called them back from my work line and found out it's a "Rewards Redemption Center" as the automated voice congratulated me saying I won a $100 gift card... then told me to "select 1 to speak to an agent" "select 2 to be removed from the list". Given I called from my work number (and just for [***] and giggles...) I pressed 1. And there I remained on hold listening to crappy music for about 30 seconds and the call disconnects. Losers.
There is something called the 'one ring scam' that is explained in the following item from consumer reporter Clark Howard's website. While the area code of this number (213) is not on the list given in Clark's story, there is always the possibility that the crooks have figured out how to fake the area code you see, or how to make the scam work from 213 numbers.
Everything below is from www.clarkhoward.com. Great site and source for info on scams like the one described below:
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HEADLINE: Beware of the one ring scam on your phone
That missed call on your cellphone could cost you $30…but maybe not in the way you think.
One of my Facebook followers let me know about an old scam that has roared back to life. Years ago, crooks found a way to exploit a handful of international area codes that don't require a foreign code to dial up.
Now that scam has resurfaced as what's being called the "one ring scam." Crooks are using robocalling technology to place Internet calls that only ring once to cell phones.
If you pick up, the robocaller just drops the line. But the bigger danger is if you miss the call. Like so many people, you might think it's an important call and dial that number right back.
Bad move.
Turns out the area codes are in the Caribbean. That call will cost you between $15 and $30! And to add insult to injury, the criminals behind these calls will sign you up (through your cell provider) for bogus services that will be crammed on your phone bill if you return their call.
WTAE/Better Business Bureau reports there are 5 area codes being used to perpetrate this ploy:
473
809
876
284
268
The key thing to know is, when an unfamiliar number comes in, you're better off waiting for a voicemail to determine if you have a legitimate caller before calling it back. You can also Google the phone number itself. If the number is a scam, chances are good that others will have posted warnings about it.
Finally, how can you tell if further phony charges are being crammed onto your cell bill? Look for innocuous terms like "special services," "Internet advertising," "service fee," "calling plan," or "minimum monthly usage fee." A typical cram charge for a business might be $10 or $15. For a consumer, it will be more like $5 or $10.