Post by dalejrfan on Aug 22, 2005 0:18:15 GMT -5
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 didn't 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 Emails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you to call
>> an "809" area 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 Verizon for bringing this scam to our attention.
>> This scam has also been identified by the
>> NationalFraudInformationCenterand
>> 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
>> 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.homes that have 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 area 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
>> 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)687-904 (See attached file: Header)
>>
>
>>
>> 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 didn't 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 Emails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you to call
>> an "809" area 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 Verizon for bringing this scam to our attention.
>> This scam has also been identified by the
>> NationalFraudInformationCenterand
>> 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
>> 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.homes that have 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 area 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
>> 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)687-904 (See attached file: Header)
>>
>