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Don't call back: customers warned about scam involving missed phone calls from unknown numbers

Customers have been warned not to respond to missed calls from unknown international numbers.

MOBILE PHONE OPERATORS are warning customers not to return missed calls from unknown international numbers or risk being charged.

A scam known as Wangiri fraud involves fraudsters leaving missed calls from unknown numbers on people’s phones and when people call back their credit is drained or their bill is charged.

Scammers buy up a range of numbers and then use automated machines to make quick missed calls to different numbers.

Customers then receive a missed call from an unknown number – generally an international number or premium rate number – and if they call back their credit or call charge is drained.

To keep people on the phone for longer, the sound on the other end of the line will usually be someone calling for help or an operator saying: “All operators are busy at present, please hold.”

There is no charge incurred when people answer calls from these numbers, only when they call back, and the longer someone stays on the phone the higher the charge will be.

Warning

The Irish Cellular Industry Association (ICIA) - an alliance of Meteor , Three and Vodafone – issued a warning to its customers advising them to avoid the scam.

The ICIA issues these guidelines to its customers if they receive a call from an international number that they don’t recognise:

  • Do not call the number back: If it is a legitimate call, then the chances are that the caller will call you back or leave you a voicemail.
  • Be vigilant about protecting their number whenever possible, ensuring they are careful when answering calls to numbers they don’t recognise or calling an unrecognised number back after a missed call.

Particular care should be taken when responding to calls from unknown numbers beginning with +247.

The scam is a telecoms industry-wide problem.

Read: Fraudsters pretending to be high-end store staff scam Irish people out of thousands

Read: Man sold bogus holiday packages to friends to fund his “cocaine lifestyle”>

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43 Comments
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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
    Favourite Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Aug 31st 2015, 6:07 AM

    I think #TheDonald(really!?!?) is as batshit crazy as they come…

    But quote from estranged wife going through bitter, high profile divorce of billionaire husband in an interview for glossy magazine/tabloid. Is hardly something I’d consider as a credible source….

    296
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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Aug 31st 2015, 6:12 AM

    Drew — The scary part is he’s not crazy at all.

    119
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:29 AM

    Even if he did, I don’t see the problem. Hitler’s policies were insane but he was an incredible orator. People have been studying him for public speaking and propaganda techniques for decades.

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    Mute John Clarke
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    Aug 31st 2015, 11:02 AM

    At least it’s not a copy of the speeches and statements of Charles J. Haughey. He could pick up this copy for a mere €250… http://touch.adverts.ie/other-antiques-collectables/charles-haughey-autographed-book-of-collected-speeches/8546106

    16
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    Mute David McShite
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    Aug 31st 2015, 8:06 AM

    To suggest that we should not study or analyse Hitler because of the evil he perpetuated is ironically almost fascist censorship. It is conversely why he must be studied and understood. Hitler seemed able to tap into the mass psychology of the German people and steer it in a direction of his choosing. No one can ignore the horrific events he was responsible for but he is probably the most infamous name the world will ever see and a fascinating character.

    179
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    Mute Veronika Hladová
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    Aug 31st 2015, 1:31 PM

    Coming from an Ex, I’m not surprised she says he’s a nazi, my ex’s would all say the same about me

    16
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    Mute Ciarán Furey
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:16 AM

    His supporters will be more upset that he’s an actual book reader.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Aug 31st 2015, 8:08 AM

    Maybe he just looked at the pictures

    66
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    Mute Bigus Diccus
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:49 AM

    “If, I had these speeches, and I am not saying that I do, I would never read them.”

    Well he’s getting the hang of denying like a real politician at least.

    79
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    Mute Robbie Kelly
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    Aug 31st 2015, 6:58 AM

    Nothing like a US election to air the dirty laundry!

    71
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    Mute David Healion
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    Aug 31st 2015, 8:29 AM

    in fairness. I’m no Nazi but u do have books with some of hitters speeches in them. This story is just inflammatory nonsense. also I hope trump crashes and burns in the election.

    49
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    Mute Feargal Garvin
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:22 AM

    I saw the headline and thought this was Waterford Whispers.

    44
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    Mute Vincent O Mahony
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    Aug 31st 2015, 8:41 AM

    Trump read something written by Hitler..

    This can only mean that..

    TRUMP IS REALLY HITLER IN DISGUISE!!

    SHOCKING!!!!!!

    41
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    Mute Sticky Micky
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:08 AM

    The world is fooked anyway….. GO TRUMP!!!

    38
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    Mute keith cahill
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:25 AM

    i think its interesting that at the same time trump is trying to become president i saw a stat that half the worlds money is owned by 80 people!!! is trump one of the 80??

    30
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    Mute Grigori Rasputin
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:37 AM

    The statistic is that the richest 80 people in the world are as rich as the poorest 50% – not that the top 80 own 50% of the world’s money.

    And anyway, Trump’s not one of the 80.

    http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/meet-the-80-people-who-are-as-rich-as-half-the-world/

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    Mute Gems Awyer
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:30 AM

    Heil hydra! – John Garrett, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

    29
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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:39 AM

    Mein Komb-uber

    25
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    Mute Diarmuid Doran
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    Aug 31st 2015, 8:01 AM

    The majority of Americans wouldn’t even know who Hitler was. They don’t care and if they vote Trump or Clinton in , they deserve them.

    18
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Aug 31st 2015, 10:27 AM

    In fairness, how many Brits do you recon know the name Hirohito? It works both ways.

    7
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    Mute John Ward
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    Aug 31st 2015, 10:52 AM

    @Jason Culligan: They’d probably think he was a new striker for Celtic!

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    Mute Timber Planks
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    Aug 31st 2015, 10:00 AM

    There is no reason whatsoever not to read those books!

    16
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Aug 31st 2015, 10:36 AM

    You’d be surprised how irrational people can get on the subject of Hitler, especially when any sort of praise may factor into it. In America it would be a difficult proposition to state publicly that Hitler was a great orator and propagandist as people will genuinely take that as support for Hitler as a whole.

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    Mute Steven Woodroffe
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    Aug 31st 2015, 7:54 AM

    Could explain why he couldn’t give his favourite bible quote

    9
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    Mute niall mullins
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    Aug 31st 2015, 9:32 AM

    Probably because he knows that there really isn’t a sky fairy. Won’t go down well in the bible belt but who really cares!?

    11
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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Aug 31st 2015, 9:02 AM

    If I read a story about IRA/SF in the Journal does that make me an IRA/SF supporter?

    8
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    Mute fiachra29
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    Aug 31st 2015, 9:13 AM

    A story about Donald Trump and you still can’t help mentioning Sinn Féin, I don’t like the Shinners myself but you have a complete obsession. Your irritating insistence on mentioning them everywhere even on completely unrelated articles is incredibly annoying and doing far more damage to your cause than good.

    29
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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Aug 31st 2015, 9:25 AM

    The subject of the analogy might not be to your liking but the remark is very relevant. I will not be dictated to by the likes of Fiachra with his new Twitter account.

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    Mute Diarmuid Doran
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    Aug 31st 2015, 9:56 AM

    Yeah Fiachra , how dare you.Your Twitter account must be at least 30 days old before you dictate to Pat Lyons or any of his Jornal multi- accounts. poor Pat.

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    Mute fiachra29
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    Aug 31st 2015, 9:58 AM

    My Twitter account is actually about a year old at this stage.

    4
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Aug 31st 2015, 10:26 AM

    Pat, isn’t this your third account after previously being banned on other accounts?

    It’s rhetorical by the way, we all know the answer.

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Aug 31st 2015, 5:04 PM

    One way to understand how your enemy thinks?

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