I just recived this E-mail.
> RE: Phone Scam
>
> The following information has been forwarded by AT&T: >
> DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809! This one is being distributed all o=
ver
> the US. This is pretty scary-especially given the way they try
> to get you to call. Be sure you read this & pass it on to all your
> friends and family so they don't get scammed! Don't respond to Ema=
ils,
> phone
> calls or webpages which tell you to call an "809" Phone Number. Th=
is
> is a very important issue of Scam Busters because it alerts you to=
a
> scam that is spreading *extremely* quickly - can easily cost you
> $24100 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 cod=
e
> 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 be=
en
> arrested, died to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, et=
c.
> In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Sinc=
e
> there are so many new
> area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls. >
> If you call from the US,you will apparently be charged $2425
> 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 ofte=
n be
> charged more than $24,100.00.
> >
> 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 US. Since 809=
is
> not in the US,
> it is not covered by U.S. regulations of 900 numbers, which requir=
e
> 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 t=
he
> company provide a time period during which you may terminate the c=
all
> 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 ho=
w
> 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 messag=
e.
> Be wary of email or calls asking you to call an 809 area code num=
ber.
> >
> It's important to prevent becoming a victim of this scam, since tr=
ying
> to fight the charges afterwards can become A real nightmare.
> That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain, bo=
th
> 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 deali=
ng
> 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.
> > Additional information can be obtained from the following AT&T W=
eb
> Site
> > att.com
> <http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#thre> |
