Learn more about common phone scams and ways you can protect yourself.
This is not an exhaustive list of scams, but they are some of the most common ones. For more information on these and other scams, visit the FCC's website. You can also go to our Internet security alerts site for a current list of scam phone numbers affecting Xfinity customers.
Telephone slamming
Telephone slamming is when an Xfinity Voice customer has their telephone service switched to a new provider without their permission.
What to watch out for:
- You fill out a contest entry form where the fine print on the form states that by entering the contest, you’re signing up for a different telephone service provider.
- You receive a call from a telemarketer asking you to switch your telephone service provider.
- Even though you told the telemarketer that you’re “not interested” in switching, your telephone service provider is changed anyway.
How to protect yourself:
- Ask that all offers from communications providers be sent to you in writing and review them before making a decision.
- Read offers carefully before signing any form, contest entry, or survey.
- Make a note of the name and telephone number of the marketing representative in case you need to reach the company in the future.
- You should also ask about additional charges you need to pay before receiving a free prize or gift.
- If you have to pay, it’s a purchase and not a gift.
Making international calls unintentionally
In most cases, you have to dial 011 to call a foreign country. However, there are some locations outside the U.S. with telephone numbers that look like domestic long-distance calls. For example, 809, 284, and 876 are area codes for countries located in the Caribbean. Calls made to these countries are considered international calls and will be charged international rates.
- Xfinity Voice Premier subscribers have unlimited international calling to more than 90 countries and destinations.
- For more information, see what countries are included with Voice Premier.
- For all other Xfinity Voice plans without international features, international calling rates apply.
- For more information, see the full list of international calling rates.
What to watch out for:
- You may see an ad for a service that directs you to call a specific number outside your area code, or you may receive another form of communication (like a text message, email, or "urgent" voicemail message) directing you to call a specific number outside your area code.
- These communications could be a scam directing you to call an international number.
How to protect yourself:
- Be cautious about making calls to area codes you don't recognize.
- Determine where the area code is before making your call by checking the area code online at the North American Numbering Plan Administrator — Area Code Lookup tool.
- Control access to your telephone so no one uses it to call international numbers.
- If you're sure you won't need to make international calls, you can call Xfinity and ask for an international block on your Xfinity Voice service.
Call forwarding scam
A call forwarding scam is where fraudsters pose as a trusted individuals, businesses, or financial institutions, and through a call, voicemail, or text message, tell you to dial a specific code and phone number. This scam programs your telephone to forward calls made to your telephone number to another number, which could possibly be an international number.
What to watch out for:
- You may receive a call, voicemail, or text message instructing you to lift the receiver on your home phone, listen for the dial tone, then dial *72 followed by a 10-digit telephone number.
- You’re no longer receiving calls, but you can make outbound calls.
How to protect yourself:
- Ignore these calls. If you receive this type of call, hang up. If you receive a voicemail or text message like this, don’t follow the directions.
- You can review and change your Xfinity phone feature settings, including your Call Forwarding settings by following the instructions here.
Caller ID spoofing
Caller ID spoofing is when a bad actor deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID to disguise their identity. Scammers often use deceptive local numbers or spoof a number from a company or a government agency you may already know and trust. If you answer, they use scam scripts to try to steal your money or valuable personal information, which can be used in fraudulent activity.
What to watch out for:
- If you recognize the caller ID display name, but not the associated phone number, it may be a spoofed call.
- In some cases, caller ID spoofing may be used with a pre-recorded message asking you questions or asking you to press a specific number for further instructions.
- Another sign of spoofed phone calls is a business or service offer that requires you to pre-pay using non-standard payment methods, like gift cards.
How to protect yourself:
- Don't answer calls from unknown numbers. If you answer, hang up immediately.
- If you answer the phone and the caller asks you to hit a button to stop getting the calls, you should just hang up.
- Scammers often use this trick to identify potential targets.
- Don’t respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with "Yes" or "No."
- Never give out personal information like account numbers, Social Security numbers (SSNs), mother's maiden names, passwords or other personally identifiable information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious.
Expensive callback “One Ring" or “Wangiri"?
A one ring scam (sometimes called a “Wangiri” scam) is an attempt to trick you into calling a fraudulent number which is usually a toll or international number. Your phone rings once then stops with the fraudster relying on your curiosity to prompt you to call the number back to see who was calling. These calls can happen at any time during the day, but they usually occur at night when the fraudster is hoping you’re sleeping and therefore less likely to check caller ID and more likely to return the call using the return call code *69.
What to watch out for:
- Any call that rings once from a number you’re not familiar with, and that doesn’t ring again.
How to protect yourself:
- Don’t call back numbers you don’t recognize, especially those appearing to originate overseas.
- Don’t use *69 without making sure you recognize the telephone number.
How to report phone fraud
If you believe you experienced a phone scam, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC will add the information from your complaint to the Consumer Sentinel Network, a database used by law enforcement agencies across the world. Visit the FTC's fraud reporting tool or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. You may also file a complaint with the FCC.
How Xfinity helps prevent you from becoming a victim of these scams
- We offer calling features like Call Screening and Call Waiting, which you can learn more about here.
- Our Verified Caller ID includes a [V] next to the caller’s name for certain calls.
- These are calls where the caller’s service provider verified the call is coming from a non-spoofed telephone number.
- Because we provide all domestic long-distance service, it’s not possible for a fraudulent company to change your long-distance provider.
- You shouldn’t receive a separate bill for long-distance if you have Xfinity Voice.
- All 900 and 976 numbers are automatically blocked for your protection, free of charge.
- We’ll place an international calling block on your account at your request.