Subject: Fw:Fw: 809/Please Read!
Subject: 809 Area Code
We actually received a call last week from the
809 area code. The woman said "Hey, this is
Karen, Sorry I missed you--get back to us
quickly." Have something important to tell you.
Then she repeated a phone number beginning
with 809. We did not respond.
Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
Subject: DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809,
284 AND 876
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T.
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 E-mails 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 $2400 or more, and is difficult to avoid
unless you are aware of it.
We'd like to thank Vernon for bringing this
scam has also been identified by the National
Fraud Information Center and is costing
victims a lots of money.
There are lots of different
permutations of this scam.
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 number
right away. Since 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 often 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
US 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, where as many US homes that 900
number blocking to avoid these kinds of
charges, do not work in preventing 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 are code that you don't
recognize just disregard the message.
Be wary of e-mail 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 flight 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) 687-904
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