Consumer Tip for May 2003

Voicemail Scam

Users of your telephone company’s voice mail system beware! If you have never programmed your own pass code into your voicemail, you are automatically using a default access code. That default is often the last four digits of your phone number. This makes you easy prey for scam artists. They just call the voicemail access number and get into your voice mail system. They can then change your message to make it sound as though you are accepting collect calls. Many consumers have received outrageous telephone bills, having never placed those calls. To protect yourself from this scam, always program your own private access code to your voice mail system. That will foil the scam artist.