The FCC has learned of a telephone scam that originates in Mexico and apparently targets people in Hispanic communities.
An operator calls the consumer's residential telephone number and tells the consumer he/she has a collect call from a family member who has an emergency or an important message. The operator has all the relevant information - the family's last name, husband's name, wife's name, etc. The operator provides the consumer with the "calling family member's" name. The consumer accepts the operator-assisted call, assuming there is a real emergency or message. Upon accepting the call, the consumer is then connected to a complete stranger who gives information that is not related to the consumer's family. Realizing the call is a fraud, the consumer immediately hangs up, but is still billed for the call.
In some cases, the consumer is not even allowed to respond "yes" or "no" in accepting the call; the operator automatically puts the call through without waiting for an affirmative response. Other times, the consumer actually declines the call and is still charged a very high rate for a collect call that was never accepted.
To file a complaint electronically, go to
www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html. You can file by e-mail at
fccinfo@fcc.gov or fax your complaint to
202-418-0232.
Click here on how to file a complaint.