WARNING: DO NOT RETURN ONE-RING CALLS FROM ANY CARIBBEAN ISLAND AREA CODE

I am guessing Lionel knew to block 900-numbers but wasn't aware the account for his father would allow international calls to countries with area codes compatible with the US telephone number format. Like Jamaica.

There is probably no warning on that cell phone that the call would be leaving the US and would incur extra charges. People who make international calls would not want such warnings, but to protect the elderly as well as children, the ability to make outgoing international calls needs to be an opt-in setting that has to be invoked before any calls are made, and ideally is password-protected so curious children cannot easily change the setting.

Here is an update on this scam from Clark Howard:

That missed call on your cellphone could cost you $30…but maybe not in the way you think.

One of my Facebook followers let me know about an old scam that has roared back to life. Years ago, crooks found a way to exploit a handful of international area codes that don't require a foreign code to dial up.

The one ring scam leverage technology to pick your pocket

Now that scam has resurfaced as what's being called the "one ring scam." Crooks are using robocalling technology to place Internet calls that only ring once to cell phones.

If you pick up, the robocaller just drops the line. But the bigger danger is if you miss the call. Like so many people, you might think it's an important call and dial that number right back.

Bad move.

Turns out the area codes are in the Caribbean. That call will cost you between $15 and $30! And to add insult to injury, the criminals behind these calls will sign you up (through your cell provider) for bogus services that will be crammed on your phone bill if you return their call.

WTAE/Better Business Bureau reports there are 5 area codes being used to perpetrate this ploy:

473
809
876
284
268

The key thing to know is, when an unfamiliar number comes in, you're better off waiting for a voicemail to determine if you have a legitimate caller before calling it back. You can also Google the phone number itself. If the number is a scam, chances are good that others will have posted warnings about it.

Finally, how can you tell if further phony charges are being crammed onto your cell bill? Look for innocuous terms like "special services," "Internet advertising," "service fee," "calling plan," or "minimum monthly usage fee." A typical cram charge for a business might be $10 or $15. For a consumer, it will be more like $5 or $10.

http://www.clarkhoward.com/beware-one-ring-sc ... al_facebook_sfp