Wireless phone users warned of a new twist on an old scam

Newton Independent

The Iowa Utilities Board is warning wireless phone users of a new incarnation of an old long-distance telephone scam that leads consumers to incur high charges on their phone bills.

Rob Hillesland, a spokesperson for the IUB, said that while the scam has not yet appeared to have hit Iowa, consumers need to be aware of the practice in order to steer clear of the possibility of being hit with the extra costs.

According to an FCC consumer advisory, wireless phone users are now being fooled into making expensive international calls by scammers who leave messages on consumers' answering machine or their e-mail accounts. The messages urge wireless users to call a number with an 809, 284, 876 or some other area code prefix to collect a prize, find out about a sick relative or some other important message.

While the area codes appear to be domestic, they are actually associated with international pay-per-call phone numbers. While wireless companies are working to block suspicious numbers on their networks, consumers are still being victimized by the scam.

You can read the full FCC alert here.