I just got this email from our corporate office about a new phone scam. Please read and pass this info. along! Take Care!! _____________________________________________ DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809 This one is being distributed all over the US. This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call. Be sure you read this and pass it on to all your friends and family so they don't get scammed! MAJOR SCAM: Don't respond to emails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you to call an "809" Phone Number. This is a very important issue of Scam Busters because it alerts you to a scam that is spreading *extremely* quickly - can easily cost you $24,100 or more, and is difficult to avoid unless you are aware of it. We'd like to thank Verizon for bringing this scam to our attention. This scam has also been identified by the National Fraud Information Center and is costing victims a lot of money. There are lots of different permutations of this scam, but HERE'S HOW IT WORKS: You will receive a message on your answering machine or your pager, which asks you to call a number beginning with area code 809. The reason you're asked to call varies. It can be to receive information about a family member who has been ill, to tell you someone has been arrested, died, to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc. In each case, you are told to call the 809 numbers right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls. If you call from the U.S., you will apparently be charged $2,425 per-minute. Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, you'll often be charged more than $24,100. WHY IT WORKS: The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands (The Bahamas). The 809 area code can be used as a "pay-per-call" number, similar to 900 numbers in the U.S. Since 809 is not in the U.S., it is not covered by U.S.regulations of 900 numbers, which require that you be notified and warned of charges and rates involved when you call a "pay-per-call" number. There is also no requirement that the company provide a time period during which you may terminate the call without being charged. Further, whereas many U.S. phones have 900 number blocking to avoid these kinds of charges, 900 number blocking will not prevent calls to >the 809 area code. We recommend that no matter how you get the message, if you are asked to call a number with an 809 area code that you don't recognize and/or investigate further and just disregard the message. Be wary of email or calls asking you to call an 809 area code number. It's important to prevent becoming a victim of this scam, since trying to fight the charges afterwards can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong. Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam. Sandi Van Handel AT&T Field Service Manager (920)687-9045 877 479-7902 ------------------
For those of you who are naturally skeptical, as I am: This post is mostly TRUE according to the Urban Legends web page From Urban Legends: Dire warnings against calling numbers in the 809 area code are circulating on the net because these numbers have often been used in scams designed to run up the phone bills of unsuspecting. The warnings are correct, but the information is both outdated and exaggerated. Calls to the 809 area code are not generally billed at an astoundingly higher rate than calls made to any other area code (certainly not the $2,245 per minute claimed); the scam kicks in because this area code is assigned to another country (the Dominican Republic, not the British Virgin Islands as stated) where scammers make deals with local phone companies to split the long distance fees run up by callers who are deliberately kept on the line while the clock ticks and the charges mount. So the warnings are right that you can get suckered, just not about how this will happen. Thanks to Live for posting it. ------------------ BK: "Hey coach, great season. Thanks!" Rudy: "Thanks guys, appreciate the support." This really happened. [This message has been edited by BrianKagy (edited April 19, 2001).]
Several years ago, when I was young and foolish, I fell for this. It cost me about $20, I think. ------------------ RealGM Gafford Art Artisan Cakes
They've posted a number where you can complain about these practices. Just call 1-809-555-.... You have to listen to a ten minute recording, but then you can voice your concerns. ------------------ Stay Cool...
