BEWARE

[Ed25]

> >MAJOR SCAM:
> >Don't respond to Emails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you to call
> >an "809" area 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 NationalFraudInformationCenter
> >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
> >code809.Thereasonyou'reaskedtocall 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, 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 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.
> >
> >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
> >
> >