Premium Rate Service, Spoof Calls Are New Scams in Town

Hyderabad: Are you receiving missed calls from unknown international numbers? Avoid calling back out of curiosity, as it might cost you a few thousand rupees.

A new scam, known as the Premium Rate Service Scam, has surfaced in which victims receive a missed call from an international number, often without the +91 prefix. If they call back, they are connected to a premium rate service, incurring high charges per minute.

Scammers usually let the phone ring once and disconnect, tempting victims to return the call. One social media user warned, “Please don’t call back if you get a missed call from an international number. It’s a scam. My father called back and was charged Rs 70, even though he disconnected the call within seconds.”

While Hyderabad's cybercrime police have not received any cases related to this scam, they have received alerts from authorities in other states and regulatory bodies. These agencies have urged them to caution the public.

Adding to the complexity, scammers are now using spoof calls to trick victims. A spoof call disguises the caller's actual number, making it appear as a familiar contact — such as a family member or friend. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the US government has flagged the spoof calls in its recent notification.

Hyderabad cyber crime DCP Dara Kavitha explained, “Spoof calls might not always involve premium rate services but are used to cheat people in other ways. These scams leverage apps to hide real numbers, showing contacts that seem trustworthy. Victims, especially those with family or friends overseas, are targeted.”

DCP Kavitha further advised, “While disconnecting immediately may result in a small charge, it minimises your losses. The key is to avoid letting scammers profit.”

To stay safe, authorities recommend avoiding calls from unknown international numbers and disconnecting immediately if a suspicious call appears familiar. Following updates from cybercrime officials and spreading awareness can help reduce the impact of these scams.

The FCC has also issued warnings, explaining how scammers operate by luring victims into calling back familiar-looking international numbers, ultimately trapping them in a financial scam.