We’ve all dialed a wrong number before. It happens and usually it’s harmless. But bad guys have figured out a way to make money off our misdials. This scam has been around as long as toll-free numbers, but it’s seeing a resurgence.
HOW THIS PHONE SCAM WORKS
In the toll-free hijacking or misdial scam, a bad guy gets a phone number that is similar to a popular toll-free one – perhaps the number to a customer support line. This copycat phone number will have one or two digits changed from the official number. Or it may start with a different toll-free prefix, like 888 rather than 800. When a customer accidentally types in the wrong number, the call goes to the bad guy – and the act begins.
The caller hears a message that sounds like the legitimate company, but it’s the bad guy impersonating the company. The scam may offer a prize or discount, if the caller pays a small fee up front with a credit card, such as for shipping.
It’s easy to fall for this, because it can sound very convincing and you thought you called the real company.
What To Do
- Be careful when you dial phone numbers. Make sure you have the number right and enter it accurately when you call. Common dialing errors include:
- Dialing the wrong toll-free prefix
- Accidentally hitting a number twice
- Hitting an adjacent number
- Transposing numbers, such as 87 instead of 78
- Confusing zero or one with letters O or L
- Think before sharing personal information, like passwords, credit card numbers, or bank account information, over the phone, in an email or a text. And do not send money to someone you do not really know.
- Hang up if the call seems strange and check to make sure you dialed the right number.
![Toll Free Hijack.jpg](/ecms/dam/pages/cyber-aware/graphics/Toll%20Free%20Hijack.jpg)
More Information
There is not much legitimate companies can do to prevent the misdial or toll-free hijack scam. Other providers who own and assign toll-free numbers may not be aware of a scam or a user’s bad intent. Many companies, like AT&T, work with number providers to protect legitimate toll-free numbers.
You can learn more to help identify scams in these Cyber Aware blogs: