Avoid The Scam Of Receiving Collect Calls From Jail   by Russell Strider

in Technology / Communication    (submitted 2012-02-04)

In most instances it is not a good idea to accept collect calls from jail. Unless you personally know the caller and have discussed such arrangements previously you could become a victim of a phone scam or identity theft.

This common scam is being used from various penal institutions across the country. The caller will ask the operator to dial the number and place the call. When the homeowner answers the operator will ask the homeowner if he or she will accept the call.

Often the caller is hoping to catch the homeowner off guard. Many people may be scammed if they know someone in prison and mistakenly think the caller is someone they know. When the call is accepted the caller then knows the number is legitimate. Sometimes numbers are called randomly in the hopes of reaching an unsuspecting person at home.

When the call is accepted the caller may then ask for a specific person then may later beg off stating the number was dialed in error. In the meantime the person who answers may have given the caller a name and possibly an address. With this information the caller can then use the number to charge several calls from prison.

Though phone companies are aware of the scam of collect calls from jail they may not catch multiple calls charged to the same number until it's too late. By then thousands of dollars in calls may be charged to your phone account. In some instances the calls may be to someone on the outside who is helping to plan some type of criminal activity. Most people will not want their phone number associated with such activity.

If a homeowner receives a call and the operator is asking about accepting the charges it is always best to say no if in doubt. You may ask about where the call is coming from and who is calling if such information is not provided. Write the information down and refuse to accept the call. You can then call local authorities or the state Attorney General to report the incident. Though others may have reported the same information every complaint adds weight to a case.

Collect calls from jail may be legitimate but there are less costly options for those incarcerated to make calls home to friends and family. Many calling card providers offer special rates for those in jail. Family members can mail the cards which can last from one to several months, depending on the monetary amount. Never accept collect calls from jail from a person you do not know.

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