Fwd: Fw: Area Code 809 Phone scam

[Guest guest]

FW: Area Code 809 Phone scam FROM P.R.OGUSHWITZ

> Hello Friends and Relations, interesting text follows:

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> Read this and notify others. You can check the ATT web site below for more

information.

>

> 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 & 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

Information Center and is costing victims a lot of money.

>

> There are lots of different permutations of this scam.

>

> HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

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> 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.

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> WHY IT WORKS:

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> 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.

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> 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.

>

> 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

>

> Additional information can be obtained from the following AT & T Web Site

> http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the heads up!

Hugs and a pain free minute,

Deb

Debgena@...

"Hope is a thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without words and never stops at all "

Dickinson

Listowner rsd-crps

Deb Genatossio

Massachusetts Charter Director and

Planning Director for American Society for RSD/CRPS (ASRSD/CRPS)

PO Box 1397, Abingdon, MD  21009

Toll Free Hotline:  1-866-OUR-PAIN

Main Office: (office hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10 AM to 3PM)

online membership: ASRSD_CRPS

http://www.americansocietyforrsd-crps.org

http://americansocietyforrsd-crps.org/societypages/handbook.html