Street Smarts
by will dehoo, dcu show me spokesperson

Beware of Cell Phone Scams

1. Ringtone scam. Are you one of the millions of people who download ringtones? If you download a ringtone from a service other than your cell phone provider, you need to be cautious. Many people don't realize accepting some "free" ringtone offers automatically subscribes you to a monthly service that can cost you $29.95 a month! Many times, it can take hours or days to cancel these services.
   
   The solution? Don't download ringtones from random sites. Instead, download your ringtones from your cell phone provider. And make sure you read the terms and agreements before ordering anything!
    
2. Text message scam. Have you received a text message from a phone number that you don't recognize, but it sounds like a text from a buddy? It may read, "Hey, it's Joe! Wanna meet up?" If you reply, you may actually be sending a text message to a premium service that can charge you anywhere between $1 and $6!
   
   The solution? Don't send a text back to unknown numbers. The same scam can apply to phone calls from random numbers. Always be careful who you call back. It might cost you money.
    
3. Photo scam. Did you know that scammers are using their cell phones to take pictures and/or video images of your credit and/or debit cards? If you're not careful with how you hold your cards in shops and restaurants, scammers may be able to take a picture of your card with their cell phones. This could cost you thousands of dollars.
   
   The solution? Be careful where you put your cards and how you hold them. For example, don't place your card on a restaurant table while having dinner.