‘Wangiri’ is a Japanese word meaning ‘one (ring) and cut’. It’s a telephone scam where criminals trick you into calling premium rate numbers.

 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

A person finds a missed call on their phone. If the person calls the number back they will be re-routed to a premium rate number overseas and will be subsequently charged for the expensive call.

 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?

Wangiri calls may takes place at night or during working hours (reducing the chances for the recipient to answer the call)

Displays an unusual international number or in some cases what looks like a UK 07 mobile number. The mobile numbers listed below are allocated in Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man and are deemed international offshore 07 numbers and charged at 65ppm

074184, 074520, 074521, 074522, 074523, 074524, 074525, 074526, 074576, 075090, 075091, 075092, 075093, 075094, 075095, 075096, 075097, 07524, 07624, 077003, 077007, 077008, 077810, 077811, 077812, 077813, 077814, 077815, 077816, 077817, 077818, 077819, 077977, 077978, 077979, 078297, 078298, 078299, 078391, 078392, 078397, 078398, 079111, 079117, 079240, 079241, 079242, 079243, 079244, 079246, 079247, 079248, 079249, 079370, 079371, 079372, 079373, 079374, 079375, 079376, 079377, 079378, 079379

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you have a missed call from an unknown number, don’t call it back.

If you receive several such calls, let your phone operator know. Vodafone actually have a free number you can text to report a wangiri call. Text ‘call’ to 7725. You will then receive a reply asking you to reply to their message with the number that called you, so they can look into the number.

If you would like some advice on call filtering/blocking get in touch info@phoenixcommunications.co.uk or call 0800 107 9444 (free from mobiles and landlines etc)

For the Europol Wangiri Guide click here