Unsolicited Calls From Belarus: Why And How To Stop Them

If you've been getting calls from Belarus, you're likely the target of a one-ring phone scam. This scam involves scammers calling phone numbers and hanging up after one ring in the hopes that the recipient will call back. If you call back, you may be connected to a phone number outside your country and be charged a fee for connecting, as well as significant per-minute fees. Scammers from Belarus may also try to steal your contacts list and financial account information. To avoid this scam, it is recommended that you do not answer or return calls from numbers you don't recognize, especially international numbers. You can also ask your phone company to block outgoing international calls on your line.

How to block calls from Belarus on an iPhone

If you are receiving calls from Belarus, you may be the target of a scam known as the "one-ring" scam. In this scam, your phone may ring once and then stop. If you do not recognize the number, do not return the call. If you do call back, you may be connected to a phone number outside your country, resulting in significant fees.

To block calls from Belarus on an iPhone, you can try using a third-party app such as WideProtect or Simple Call Blocker. These apps do not allow you to block entire countries, but you can block numbers with specific country and area codes.

Alternatively, you can try blocking the calls by following these steps:

• Go to the Phone app on your iPhone.
• Tap "Favorites", "Recents", or "Voicemail".
• Tap the "i" icon next to the number or contact you want to block.
• Scroll down and tap "Block this Caller".

You can also send unknown and spam callers directly to voicemail by going to Settings > Apps > Phone, and then tapping "Silence Unknown Callers". This will ensure that you only receive notifications for calls from people in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, and Siri Suggestions.

Additionally, you can turn on Call Blocking & Identification, which will silence calls identified by your carrier as potential spam or fraud. This feature is available with certain carriers.

How to block calls from Belarus on an Android phone

If you're receiving calls from Belarus, you may be the target of a scam known as the "one-ring scam". In this scam, your phone may ring once and then stop. If you don't recognize the number, do not return the call. If you do call back, you may be connected to a phone number outside your country, resulting in significant per-minute fees.

To block calls from Belarus on an Android phone, you can use the Call Settings feature. Here's how:

• Open the Phone app on your Android device.
• Go to Call Settings. This option may be found under the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the screen.
• Find the "Call blocking" option.
• Look for any setting related to international calls or numbers.
• Turn on the option to block international calls.
• Add "+375" (the country code for Belarus) to the list of numbers to be blocked. You don't need to enter the full number; just adding the country code will block all subsequent numbers from Belarus.
• Save the new settings and exit the menu.

Alternatively, you can contact your mobile service provider's customer support for assistance in blocking international calls. They can guide you through their specific procedures for blocking calls from a specific country.

What is the 'one-ring' scam?

The "one-ring" scam is a telephone fraud that involves scammers calling phone numbers, hanging up after one ring, and hoping that the recipient will call back. The scam targets people who are curious or anxious about missing a call. When the recipient calls back, they are connected to a phone number outside their country and are charged hefty international calling fees. Scammers make money from these calls by keeping victims on the line for as long as possible, racking up international call tolls. In some cases, victims are duped into calling premium-rate phone numbers or signing up for expensive services.

To make the scam more effective, scammers use international phone numbers with area codes that resemble those of the target country. For example, scammers targeting US residents may use international numbers from regions with three-digit codes that resemble US area codes, such as "232" for Sierra Leone or "809" for the Dominican Republic. They may also employ spoofing techniques to further mask the number on the recipient's caller ID display.

In addition to charging high connection and per-minute fees, scammers may also try to obtain personal information, such as banking details, from the victims. The scam has been reported in various countries, including the United States, Australia, and several countries in Europe and West Africa.

To protect yourself from the "one-ring" scam, it is recommended not to answer or return calls from unknown numbers, especially those with international area codes. If you don't make international calls, you can ask your phone company to block outgoing international calls on your line. It is also important to be cautious even if a number appears authentic, as scammers can use spoofing techniques to disguise their identities.

What to do if you've been scammed by a 'one-ring' call from Belarus

If you've been scammed by a one-ring call from Belarus, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself and try to resolve the issue:

Do not call back the number or engage with the scammer: If you receive a one-ring call from an unknown number, especially an international number, do not call back. This is the first step in avoiding being scammed.

Block the number: You can block the number on your phone to prevent further calls and potential harassment.

Check your phone bill for unauthorised charges: Scammers may try to charge you hefty fees for returning the call. Review your phone bill for any unfamiliar or unauthorised charges.

Contact your phone company: If you notice any suspicious charges on your bill, contact your phone company immediately. They may be able to reverse the charges and block future scam calls.

File a complaint with the appropriate authorities: Report the scam to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or your local telecommunications regulatory body. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you feel you have been a victim of an international phone scam.

Protect your personal information: If you have inadvertently shared any personal or financial information, notify your bank and take steps to protect your identity. Consider changing your passwords and enabling additional security measures.

Spread awareness: Share your experience with others to help them recognise and avoid similar scams. You can also report the scam to scam-tracking organisations or websites.

Remember, it is important to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with unknown callers, especially those from international numbers. Do not provide any personal or financial information over the phone unless you are certain of the caller's identity and legitimacy.

By following these steps, you can minimise the potential damage caused by a one-ring scam from Belarus or any other location.

How to report a scam call from Belarus

If you've been receiving scam calls from Belarus, you're not alone. Many people have reported receiving scam calls from the country, which typically take the form of "one-ring" or "wangiri" scams. Here are some steps you can take to report and protect yourself from these types of scam calls:

• Do not call back or answer unknown international numbers: If you see a missed call from an unknown number with the country code of Belarus (+375), do not call back. This is a common tactic used by scammers in the hopes that you will call back and incur high international call charges.
• Block the number: You can block the number on your phone to prevent further calls. On iPhone and Android devices, you can usually do this by opening the Phone app, selecting the number, and choosing the block option.
• Report the number to the relevant authorities: While it may be challenging to take direct action against foreign numbers, reporting the scam can initiate or support an investigation. You can report the number to official resources such as the Federal Trade Commission in the US, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, or the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Additionally, you can check the number against online lists of known scam numbers.
• Contact your telephone company: If you have been charged for a scam call, first try to resolve the issue with your telephone company. They may be able to reimburse you for any fraudulent charges or block outgoing international calls on your line to prevent future incidents.
• File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC): If you are unable to resolve the issue directly with your telephone company, you can file a complaint with the FCC at no cost. The FCC is actively working to combat scam calls and your report can help their efforts.
• Protect your personal information: Be cautious when sharing personal or financial information over the phone, especially with unknown callers. Regularly review your online accounts and ensure that your passwords and security settings are up-to-date. Consider using a spam protection service to reduce the risk of spam calls and protect your privacy.
• Be vigilant and aware: Stay informed about the latest scam tactics and be cautious when receiving calls, texts, or messages from unknown international numbers. If you're unsure about a call, it's better to err on the side of caution and not answer or call back.

By following these steps, you can help protect yourself and others from scam calls originating from Belarus or other countries. Remember to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

Frequently asked questions