Don’t Answer Calls from These Area Codes

[Amin C]

 

 

  

Don’t Answer Calls from These Area Codes

What are the five area codes you should never answer?

AI Overview

Five area codes that are frequently associated with scams and that you should be cautious about answering are 268, 284, 473, 649, and 876, according to cybersecurity experts. These area codes are often used in one-ring scams and other forms of fraud. It's best to let calls from these area codes go to voicemail and then investigate the number before calling back, says Diamond Valley FCU. 

Here's why you should be cautious of these specific area codes:

• 268: Antigua and Barbuda.
• 284: British Virgin Islands.
• 473: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique.
• 649: Turks and Caicos Islands.
• 876: Jamaica. 

These area codes are commonly used in scams like: 

• One-ring scams:

Scammers make a quick call to your number, hoping you'll call back, which results in high international call charges. 

• Lottery and work-from-home scams:

Scammers may try to trick you into giving away personal information or money by claiming you've won a lottery or offering a fraudulent work-from-home opportunity. 

• Spoofing:

Scammers can make it appear as if the call is coming from a local number, even if it's not, to try and trick you into answering. 

General advice:

• Don't answer calls from unfamiliar area codes. Let them go to voicemail. 
• Research the area code online: if you're unsure. 
• Consider using call-blocking or call-labeling features: provided by your phone carrier. 
• Register your number on the Do Not Call Registry (.gov): to reduce unwanted calls, although this may not block all scam calls. 
• Never give out personal information or money to an unsolicited caller . 

   

 

Best Wishes, Kind Regards & Ya Ali Madad &

   السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ

(As-salāmu ʿalaykum)

 

Amin Chunara