Wangiri (One Ring Scam): What It Is, Why You Shouldn't Call Back, and What to Do If You Did

Your phone rings once, stops, and leaves a missed call from a number you don't know, often from another country. That is the pattern of wangiri, also called the one ring scam. Nothing happens when the call comes in. The scam only works if you call back. This guide explains what the word means, how the scam makes money, how to spot one of these calls, what to do if you already called back, and how to make sure a missed call can never turn into a charge on your bill.

Current as of October 2026. Advice is quoted from consumer and telecom regulators in the US, Australia and Ireland. Charges and complaint routes depend on your country and carrier.

1. The short answer

Wangiri is a scam where a caller lets your phone ring once and hangs up, so that you see a missed call and call the number back. The number usually belongs to an international or premium rate line, so the callback is charged to you, and the scammer gets a share of that money.

The fix is simple: do not call back numbers you don't recognise, especially international ones. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) puts it plainly: "There's no danger in getting the call: the danger is in calling back and racking up a whopping bill."

2. What "wangiri" means

Australia's national scam service, Scamwatch, explains the name: "'Wangiri' is a Japanese term which roughly means 'one and cut'." In other words, the phone rings once and the caller cuts the line.

Regulators describe the same scam with slightly different words:

• Scamwatch (Australia): "a scammer will call you and let it ring once then hang up without leaving a message, so a missed call will appear on your phone from an international number."
• ComReg (Ireland's communications regulator): "short calls or faked missed calls prompt you to call back an international number for the financial benefit of the scammer."
• The FCC (US Federal Communications Commission): calls it the "one-ring" phone scam and says that for these callers, "the goal isn't always getting you to answer. Sometimes, it's getting you to call back."

So "wangiri", "wangiri scam", "one ring scam" and "one-ring call" all mean the same thing.

3. How the scam makes money

The scammer is not trying to talk to you. They are trying to get you to dial a number that charges more than a normal call.

1. Mass dialling. The FTC says scammers "are using auto-dialers to call cell phone numbers across the country" and let each phone "ring once — just enough for a missed call message to pop up."
2. You call back. People return the call because they think a real call was cut off, or because they are curious who it was.
3. The line keeps you on. According to Scamwatch, "you may be put on hold, hear music playing or the scammer could try and chat with you. The scammer's objective is to keep you on the line for as long as possible."
4. You are charged. The FCC warns you "may wind up being charged a fee for connecting, along with significant per-minute fees", and that these charges "may show up on your bill as premium services, international calling, or toll-calling."
5. The scammer is paid. The FTC says the number is "really an international toll number" and the charge appears on your phone bill "with most of the money going to the scammer."

The FCC also describes variations that use a voicemail instead of a missed call, "urging you to call a number with an unfamiliar area code to 'schedule a delivery' or to notify you about a 'sick' relative." The trick is the same: get you to dial the number yourself.

4. How to spot a wangiri call

No single sign proves a call is a scam, but these are the ones regulators point to:

• It rang once and stopped. A one ring missed call with no message is the classic pattern.
• The number is international and you don't know anyone there. Scamwatch describes the missed call as coming "from an international number."
• It looks like a domestic number, but isn't. In the US and Canada, the FTC warns that the calls use "three-digit area codes that look like they're from inside the U.S., but actually are associated with international phone numbers — often in the Caribbean." It lists 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849 and 876. The FCC gives "232" (Sierra Leone) and "809" (Dominican Republic) as examples.
• The same number keeps calling. ComReg says to "be wary of receiving multiple calls or missed calls from the same unfamiliar number, especially if it is like your own number."
• A voicemail asks you to call an unfamiliar number about a delivery or a relative (the FCC's variation above).

The number on your screen may also be faked. The FCC notes that "scammers may also use spoofing techniques to further mask the number in your caller ID display." That is one reason why blocking each number after it calls helps only a little.

5. Should you call back an unknown number?

If you don't recognise the number, the regulators' answer is no:

• FCC: "Don't answer or return any calls from numbers you don't recognize."
• Scamwatch: "If you receive an unexpected missed call from an international number you don't recognise, ignore it."
• ComReg: "Do not call back any number that you do not recognise."

If you think the call might be genuine, check the number before dialling it:

• Check whether the code is international. The FCC advises: "Before calling unfamiliar numbers, check to see if the area code is international."
• Look it up. The FTC suggests checking "the number through online directories first. They can tell you where the phone number is registered."
• Save the numbers you do expect from abroad. ComReg's advice for people with friends or relatives abroad is to "store their numbers in your phone (including the country prefix)." Then a call from them shows a name, and an unnamed foreign number stands out.
• Let a real caller reach you another way. A genuine caller can call again, leave a message or contact you through a channel you already use. You lose little by waiting.

6. If you already called back

Don't panic, and don't call the number again. Then:

1. Check your phone bill. The FTC's advice is to "read your phone bill often — line by line" and to "always check your phone bill for suspicious or unusual charges."
2. Contact your carrier first. The FCC says: "If you are billed for a call you made as a result of this scam, first try to resolve the matter with your telephone company." Scamwatch says the same for Australia: contact your telecommunications provider "to discuss your options."
3. Escalate if your carrier can't help. In the US, the FCC says "you can file a complaint with the FCC at no cost", and you can also report to the FTC. In Australia, Scamwatch points to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and asks you to report the scam to the ACCC. In Ireland, ComReg suggests contacting your local Garda station or Garda.ie.
4. Block the outgoing route. If you don't make international calls, block them (next section), so a second missed call can't catch you again.

ComReg also notes that people who have fallen for a scam "may be contacted by other scammers who claim to be able to help you get your money back for a fee." Don't pay anyone who calls offering a refund.

7. How to stop it happening again

You can reduce how many of these calls reach you, but you can't stop all of them. What you can fully control is whether a callback ever connects.

Reduce the calls you receive

• Block a number that keeps calling. Scamwatch: "If you are receiving repeated missed calls, block the number." ComReg suggests asking your service provider to block a number that keeps sending scam calls.
• Use a spam filter or a call-blocking app. Some apps and carriers can block calls from other countries or by country code. What's available on Android: How to Block Calls from Other Countries on Android.

Make the callback impossible

• Ask your carrier to block outgoing international calls. The FCC's advice: "If you do not make international calls, ask your phone company to block outgoing international calls on your line."
• Turn on outgoing international call barring. Many networks support call barring, which you switch on from the phone with a code (*331* plus a barring password) or from the Phone app's settings. It blocks every international call. Codes and passwords: Call Barring Codes.
• Use an app that blocks your own international calls. NoDial is an Android app that blocks outgoing calls. Its International call blocking stops calls to other countries, except the countries you choose, and works with any carrier. It does not block incoming calls. More: How to Block International Calls on Android.

Protect a child's or a parent's phone

Scamwatch recommends to "consider blocking international calls on mobiles used by children. This prevents a child from accidentally calling an international number themselves." The same logic applies to anyone in your family who tends to return every missed call. An outgoing block on their phone protects them even if a scam call gets through.

8. FAQ

What does wangiri mean?

It is a Japanese term. Scamwatch says it "roughly means 'one and cut'": the phone rings once and the caller hangs up, so that you call back.

Is it dangerous to answer a one ring call?

The charge comes from calling back, not from receiving the call. The FTC says "there's no danger in getting the call: the danger is in calling back." The FCC still advises not to answer or return calls from numbers you don't recognise.

What happens if you call back a scam number?

You may be connected to an international or premium rate line and kept on hold. The FCC says you may be charged a connection fee plus significant per-minute fees, which can show up as premium services, international calling or toll-calling.

Can I get the money back?

Start with your carrier. The FCC and the FTC both say to try to resolve the charges with your phone company first, then file a complaint if that doesn't work. Outside the US, use your country's telecom ombudsman or regulator.

Why do the numbers look like they're from my own country?

In North America, some Caribbean countries share the +1 code, so their numbers look like US area codes. The FTC lists 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849 and 876. Caller ID can also be spoofed.

Does NoDial block wangiri calls?

No. NoDial blocks only outgoing calls. Its International call blocking stops your own calls to other countries, except countries you choose, so a missed call from abroad can't turn into a paid callback.

9. Summary

• "Wangiri" is Japanese for roughly "one and cut". It is the same as the one ring scam.
• The scammer earns from your callback: connection and per-minute charges on an international or toll number.
• Warning signs: one ring and no message, an unknown international number, area codes that look domestic, repeated calls from the same number.
• Already called back? Check your bill, contact your carrier, then complain to your regulator if needed.
• Outgoing protection: a carrier block, *331* call barring, or NoDial's International call blocking.

NoDial: block calls to the numbers you choseOne number, or everything except a few.

Sources

• Scamwatch (Australia), "Unexpected missed calls from overseas numbers" (wangiri is a Japanese term meaning roughly "one and cut"; ignore unexpected missed calls; block repeated numbers; block international calls on children's mobiles; contact your provider and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman) scamwatch.gov.au
• FCC, "'One Ring' Phone Scam" (goal is to get you to call back; 232 and 809 examples; spoofing; connection and per-minute fees; voicemail variations; ask your phone company to block outgoing international calls; resolve with your telephone company, then complain to the FCC) fcc.gov
• FTC Consumer Advice, "'One-ring' cell phone scam can ding your wallet" (auto-dialers; Caribbean area codes that look domestic; no danger in getting the call; check numbers in online directories; resolve with your carrier; read your bill line by line) consumer.ftc.gov
• FTC Consumer Advice, "Get a one-ring call? Don't call back." (international toll number; most of the money goes to the scammer; check your phone bill) consumer.ftc.gov
• ComReg (Ireland), "Scam calls" (definition of wangiri; do not call back numbers you do not recognise; store relatives' numbers with the country prefix; repeated missed calls; refund scams) comreg.ie
• ETSI TS 122 030 (3GPP TS 22.030), "Man-Machine Interface (MMI) of the User Equipment" (call barring service codes) etsi.org

Scam patterns, charges and complaint routes change. Check your carrier's and regulator's current pages.