Beware! Phone scam circulating

[Michael Riebs / AudiV8]

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Hello Friends,
     I've heard of phone scams in the past. Apparently the practice is
     more active than ever. I received this from a friend and thought I'd
     pass it along.

> -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 email:
  >
  > 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" 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, where as 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.
  >
  > 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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