This scam disproportionately harms Hispanics, particularly new arrivals to the United States and those without well-developed English skills. Prepaid phone cards have surfaced as a cost-effective option for new immigrants to stay in touch with family members abroad.

Hispanics are often preyed upon because they're less likely to have the means or knowledge of the legal system to complain. Fraudulent phone cards swindle Hispanics out of up to $1 million per day.