A Consumer Association has issued a warning that telephone frauds are on the increase and that answering a “missed call” can prove very expensive.
The fraud revolves around missed calls. The ring tone will only sound once and the number of the caller has an international prefix. There is a special charge applicable if the person on the receiving end returns the call.
The fraudsters have been using the Prefixes 355, Albania; 225, Ivory Coast; 233, Ghana, and 234, Nigeria.
The President of ThaderConsumer says the fraudsters are exploiting the ingenuity of the victims who habitually return any missed call.
The Association recommends that, if you don´t know anyone in any of the above countries, not to return the call, but wait for the caller to call again.
There is no cause for alarm as, if you don´t answer or return the call, no charge will be made. However, if you do answer or return the call, the longer the call the more it will cost.
If you fall foul of these fraudsters you should try and claim from your telephone operator/company and seek advice from a consumer association.
The Municipal Consumer Advice Service has an office in the Town Hall. If you don´t speak Spanish you will need to take an interpreter.
