> > > > 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 & pass it on to all your friends & 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 $24100 or more, and is difficult to avoid unless you are > > >aware of it. We'd like to thank Paul Bruemmer and Brian Stains 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 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 $24100.00. > > > > > >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. 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 so they don't get ripped off. > > > > >
