Please read----809 area code

[bfez1]

Someone sent me this so I am sharing it here at storm2k:

They actually received a call last week from the 809

> > area code.
> > The woman said "Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed
> > you--get back to us quickly.
> > Have something important to tell you." Then she
> > repeated a phone number beginning with 809.
> > We didn't respond.
> >
> > Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
> >
> > Subject: 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 you read 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" 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 National
> > Fraud Information Center 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. 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 $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
> >
> >
> >
> >

[JCT777]

Thanks for the heads-up, Bonnie. I can't imagine getting a phone bill for over $24,000. YIKES!!! :o

[StormCrazyIowan]

Holy cow!! Thanks for passing that on!!

[pojo]

thanks for the heads up.... I will pass that on.

[Amanzi]

Oh good grief.. a phone bill like that has really got to hurt!

Why do people do such disgusting things is beyond me. Thanks for that Bonnie, I will pass it on.