One-ring (Wangiri) scams in the US

Updated 2026-05-03

Fraudsters call from international or unfamiliar numbers, hang up after one ring, and rely on curiosity. If you call back, you're billed at high per-minute rates while an automated voice or hold music wastes your time. The scam is sometimes called 'Wangiri' — Japanese for 'one ring and cut'.

Country codes to watch in the US

Look out for callbacks to +232 (Sierra Leone), +252 (Somalia), +371 (Latvia), +675 (Papua New Guinea), and +268 (Eswatini). Many Americans assume a +1 prefix is a domestic number — but +1 also covers Caribbean nations like Jamaica (+1-876), Dominican Republic (+1-809/829/849), and Antigua (+1-268), all of which can carry premium rates.

Why your number was targeted

Wangiri campaigns dial sequentially through ranges. There's nothing personal about it — your number wasn't 'leaked', it was just next on the list.

Red flags

  • Single ring with no voicemail
  • International or +1 Caribbean prefix you don't recognize
  • Call comes in the middle of the night

What to do

  1. Don't call back.
  2. Block the number in your phone's settings.
  3. Run the number through WhoCalledMe.ai to confirm and warn others.
  4. Report repeat offenders to the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a return call cost?

Premium international lines can charge $5–$25 per minute, often with hidden 'connection fees'. A single curious callback can cost more than a phone bill.