...AND WATCH OUT FOR THE ‘WANGIRI’ RUSE

ANOTHER common phone scam is the ‘Wangiri’. It originated in Japan where the word means ‘one ring and cut’.

Fraudsters dial thousands of numbers at once and cut the phone call after one ring.

Curiosity means some recipients are tempted to return the missed call – often from international numbers – only for it to be a premium rate number where the scammer profits from the call.

Though mobile networks are getting better at screening out such calls, some scammers evade detection. David Hickson, of the Fair Telecoms Campaign, says: ‘Our advice to consumers is clear – never make a telephone call unless you know who you are calling and what the cost will be. This also applies to ringing back the number of someone who called you.’

Use the internet to research an unknown number from a missed call. Consumers using websites such as who-called.co.uk often leave warnings about scam or nuisance numbers.

Though phone companies can turn a profit from these fraudulent tactics, it is a worldwide problem that all networks are working to tackle.

If you fall foul of the scam, it is worth contacting your provider to ask for a refund. If none is forthcoming or it does not respond after eight weeks, try Ombudsman Services, which settles disputes. Visit ombudsman-services. org or call 0330 440 1614. An alternative service is run by Cisas. Visit cedr.com or call 020 7520 3814.