Watch out for "473" scam calls

If you're like most people these days you're reluctant to pick up the phone. Scam calls purportedly from the IRS, your credit card company, time share operators and computer assistance firms can drive you crazy. Screening phone calls can help but sometimes a number looks legitimate. But a devious fraud is taking place to take your money a different way.

So-called "473" scams are proliferating. You'll see a phone number with the 473 area code and a message will be left for you that you have some benefit coming to you if you call back. Often they'll even use your name. Don't fall for this.

If you remember the days of "900" numbers where you're billed when you make a call for a "premium" service (your horoscope, sports scores, etc.) they're back. But this time they're coming from foreign scammers with the following innocuous looking area codes. That is, when you call back you will be billed as much as $20 for the first minute. Here's where to beware:

242 Bahamas

246 Barbados

264 Anguilla

268 Antigua

441 Bermuda

473 Grenada

664 Montserrat

784 St. Vincent and Grenadies

809, 829, 849 Dominican Republic

868 Trinidad and Tobago