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[Fwd: [Fwd: [Fwd: Scam stuff]]]
I realize that this is "Off Topic," but I think it's important
information for anyone who wants to avoid a $24000 phone bill!
Bill Lipton
Warning - 809 Area Code Trick Can Be Extremely Costly
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 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 $24100 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 InformationCenter
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 BritishVirgin 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.
Things are about to get worse, because that infamous off-shore area code
(809) is in the process of breaking up into smaller chunks, and you'll
soon
have to think twice about calling any of the following area codes: 242,
246, 264, 268, 284, 345, 441, 473, 664, 758, 767, 784, 787, 868, 869,
876
as
well as 809.
Better Business Bureau <http://216.46.241.4/alerts/areacode.asp>
http://216.46.241.4/alerts/areacode.asp
National Fraud Information Center <http://www.fraud.org/news/>
http://www.fraud.org/news/
AT&T's fraud information page
<http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#three>
http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#three
Sue Wishner
ABSS-Verizon
805/230-3456
"Happy Holidays to You and Yours"
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