Fw: Telephone scam

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My daughter sent me this, I guess we should all pay attention. Love, Judy >> >> 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 youread >> 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 bythe >> National Fraud Information 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. Thereason >> you're asked to call varies. It can be to receive information abouta >> family member who has been ill, to tell you someone has beenarrested, >> died, to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc. In eachcase, >> you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are somany >> 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 possibleto > > increase the charges. >> >> Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, you'll often be charged>> more than $2410.00. >> >> WHY IT WORKS: >> >> The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands 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 notifiedand >> 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 beingcharged. >> Further, where as many U.S. homes that have 900 number blocking toavoid >> these kinds of charges, do not work in preventing calls to the 809area >> code. >> >> We recommend that no matter how you get the message, if you areasked 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 callan >> 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. Ifyou >> complain, both your local phone company and your long >> distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likelytell >> you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreigncompany. >> You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they havedone> >> 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 WebSite >> >>< http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#thre/s/<http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#thre/s/> > http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html <http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html>#thre/s/ >> >> >> >> >>