Derbyshire Scam Alert: Beware of Calls That Ring Once
Residents across Derbyshire are being targeted by a new wave of phone scams where the phone rings just once before cutting off. The call often comes from an unfamiliar 0843 number, and if you ring back you could be hit with a hefty premium rate charge.
How the Scam Works
The trick is simple. Known as the “one-ring” or Wangiri scam, fraudsters dial thousands of numbers, letting them ring only once before hanging up.
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Many people naturally return missed calls, but with 0843 numbers, that call can cost far more than expected.
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These lines are non-geographic, revenue-share numbers – meaning that part of the charge goes to the telecom companies that handle the call.
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Even a short call back can leave you out of pocket.
Why Are 0843 Numbers Used?
0843 numbers are designed to carry extra charges, usually a service charge of up to 5p per minute, plus your provider’s access charge. While the amounts sound small, across thousands of calls these scams generate significant revenue.
And here’s the controversial part: telephone providers also profit from these calls. Consumer campaigners have long argued that the industry could block such scams more effectively, but with revenue coming in, there’s little incentive to act quickly.
How to Protect Yourself
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❌ Don’t call back unknown numbers that ring once and hang up.
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🚫 Block repeat 0843 numbers using your phone’s settings.
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📱 Use call-blocking apps like Truecaller or Hiya.
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☎️ Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) to reduce nuisance calls.
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📩 Report scams by forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) or by contacting Action Fraud and Ofcom.
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👵 Warn friends and relatives – especially older or less tech-savvy people – who may be more likely to return missed calls.
Bottom Line
These calls are not mistakes – they’re part of an organised scam. A single ring is designed to trigger your curiosity and make you call back.
By staying alert, ignoring and blocking these calls, and reporting them when they happen, Derbyshire residents can protect themselves – and send a message to telecoms providers that it’s time to crack down on a system that profits from nuisance and scams.
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