posted on February 2, 2001 08:22:11 AM new
Warning 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 and can easily cost you $24,100 or more, and is difficult to avoid
unless you are aware of it.
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, 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 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. phones have 900 number blocking to void 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 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.
