International Telephone Number Scams
From the Federal Trade Commission’s website:
“Be cautious when calling an unfamiliar telephone number — it could be a costly international telephone call. Consumers nationwide are being lured into calling international telephone numbers through advertisements and other promotions for interesting or important information. Ads may promise information and entertainment services ranging from psychic readings to chat lines to employment opportunities. You may be unaware that some of these numbers are actually costly international “pay-per-call” numbers, where a portion of your international long distance charge goes to pay for the information or entertainment you receive over the phone.
You could end up with a hefty phone bill if you call such an international telephone number. That’s because each country sets its own telephone rates and there’s no limit to the per-minute charge. The companies urging you to call have an incentive to keep you on the line as long as possible because they receive a portion of the international long distance charge. The more often you call —and the longer you stay on the line — the more they profit.”