Hey Guys and Gals.....
Just got this from a friend, spread it around.......looks serious.
Subject: Do Not Dial Area 809
SUBJECT: 809 area code
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 do not make any calls to
area code "809".
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 $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 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 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 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 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.
Sandi Van Handel
AT&T Field Service Manager
(920) 687-904
Additional information can be obtained from the following
AT&T Web Site
http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#thre/s/
I THOUGHT THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW THIS!! ROSEMARY
Subject: Do Not Dial Area 809
SUBJECT: 809 area code
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 do not make any calls to
area code "809".
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 $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 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 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 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 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.
Sandi Van Handel
AT&T Field Service Manager
(920) 687-904
Additional information can be obtained from the following
AT&T Web Site
http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#thre/s/
