seychelles scammers - one ring scam

[waynies]

Is there anything Telstra can do to block incoming calls to a mobile from overseas, which are almost certainly from a 'one ring' scammer?

For those that don't know, the one ring scam involves somebody from overseas dialing your phone, letting it ring once, so that a missed call appears on your phone. If you then return the missed call, you're actually ringing an overseas premium service (similar to our 1900 numbers) and can be billed a very large sum of money. 

I'm receiving occasional calls from the Seychelles, from a slightly different number each time prefixed with +248 26xxxxx.  Although I block the caller, the next time they ring it's from a slightly different number. I haven't returned the calls to confirm that it is a scam, but I don't receive overseas phone calls from anyone on my mobile, and a quick google search indicates the Seychelles is a hive of activity for this kind of scam. 

Is there anything Telstra can do? 

[Jupiter · Accepted solution]

Not a great deal that they can do. Just be vigilant.

[slgalvin]

Yeah been having the same calls this week also. Seems a lot of Aussies are per the google searches. Filthy scam artists.

[crazyed66]

There are a large amount of Android and I guess iphone apps that identify and block known and possible scam numbers. I don't have a recommendation as I havn't looked into it. Also Google offers some advice by default with known numbers on newer versions of android.

Hope this helps

[miyukoala]

Over the weekend Myself, my wife, wife's friend and work colleague received a +248 26* call.

Starting to wonder someone’s address book was compromised.

Telstra can you help, if not..... is it possible to gage how many calls are being made to find the size of the scam/problem targeting Australia?

[juancarlos1]

I have received a cal from a 248 world area code that belongs to seychelles, unfortunately I have return the call but noone answer. subsequently I google it and I found that there is a scam where they ring once then people return the call subsequently they bill youfor large amount of money. I make the mistake of ringing before i realised that it was a scam. what shoul I do? . I already have blocked that number. 

[Renee]

Hi juancarlos1,

That's really unfortunate, I do sincerely apologise you had such a call. 

I recommend reporting the call received to SCAMWatch via  Scamwatch.gov.au.

You can also find additional info on unwelcome calls via: 

https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/unwelcome-calls

Hope this helps.