Low riskText Message

One Ring Call Scam

In this scam, also called Wangiri, a single ring comes from an international or premium-rate number hoping curiosity makes you call back, connecting you to a costly premium line that charges by the minute.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Low risk
Scam type
Premium-rate callback scam (Wangiri)
Main red flag
A missed call that rings only once from an unfamiliar international or premium-rate number.
What to do first
Do not call back. If it matters, the caller will leave a voicemail or message you.

How this scam works

In this scam, also called Wangiri, a single ring comes from an international or premium-rate number hoping curiosity makes you call back, connecting you to a costly premium line that charges by the minute.

Text-message scams, known as "smishing", reach you directly on your phone where a link is only a tap away and messages feel personal and urgent. They impersonate trusted senders, banks, couriers, government, or even people you know, and depend on you acting before you pause to verify.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A missed call that rings only once from an unfamiliar international or premium-rate number. Do not call back. If it matters, the caller will leave a voicemail or message you.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Fake Voicemail Text Scam and the Wrong Number Text Scam. See the full Text Message Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • A call that rings just once, leaving a missed call you are tempted to return
  • An unfamiliar international dialling code you have no reason to expect
  • No voicemail and no message explaining who was calling
  • Repeated single-ring calls from different unknown numbers
  • Pressure to satisfy your curiosity by calling straight back

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: A single missed call at an odd hour from an international code you do not recognise, with no voicemail and no follow-up text explaining who called.

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: A missed call that rings only once from an unfamiliar international or premium-rate number.

The scale of it

$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022, more than double the year before
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
#1
fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam type in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Do not call the number back
  • Search the dialling code online if you are unsure where it is from
  • Block the number on your phone
  • If calls keep coming, report them to your mobile provider

Already responded? Do this now

  • If you called back, hang up as soon as you realise it is not a genuine contact
  • Check your call log for the duration to gauge any charge
  • Contact your mobile provider to query unexpected premium charges
  • Ask your provider about barring premium-rate or international numbers

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not return the call out of curiosity
  • Do not save the number as a contact
  • Do not assume one ring means an emergency without other contact

Related scams to know

Medium risk Text Message

Fake Voicemail Text Scam

This scam sends a text or email claiming you have a new voicemail or missed call, with a link to 'listen' that leads to a phishing page or prompts you to install an app.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Text Message

Wrong Number Text Scam

This scam starts with a friendly 'wrong number' text, builds a casual conversation over time, and eventually steers you toward a fake investment.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Bank Impersonation Phone Scam

In this scam a caller pretends to be your bank's fraud team, claims your account is under attack, and pressures you to move money to a 'safe account', read out one-time codes, or grant remote access so they can steal your funds.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

Why would scammers ring only once?
A single ring is meant to leave a missed call you feel curious about. Calling back can connect you to a premium-rate line that charges high per-minute fees, which is how the scam makes money.
Is it dangerous to receive the call, or only to call back?
Simply receiving the missed call does not usually cost you anything. The risk comes from calling back, so the safest response is to leave it alone.
How do I know if a number is premium-rate?
Unfamiliar international codes and unusual number formats can be a sign. If you do not recognise the code and no message explains the call, it is safer not to ring back.
Can my provider help block these?
Many providers can bar premium-rate or international numbers and can advise on blocking repeat callers. Reporting the numbers also helps them track the activity.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.