Area Code 809 Please read information

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http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/809.htm

Subject: Re: Area Code 809 Please read information Date: Thu, 15 Jul

2004 20:57:18 -0500 > > Subject: 809 AREA CODE > >We actually received a

call last week from the 809 area code. >The woman said " Hey, this is

. 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 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 >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 >

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