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View Full Version : Scam or fact?



FUS1ON
08-08-2006, 09:43 PM
I saw this on another board and wondered if it was factual.


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.
They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has-been arrested, died, or 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 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

SoulReaver
08-08-2006, 09:46 PM
Heard about this long time ago. Not sure if its real or not, but I think its a scam as I have never heard of anyone personally having this happen to them.

Bingo
08-08-2006, 09:49 PM
Oh c'mon. Everyone knows enough by now to figure this out.

A 2-second search at snopes pulls this up:

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp

FUS1ON
08-08-2006, 10:56 PM
Damn sucka, I was just trying to up your post count, it worked and look how you repay me. :P

Really I was too tired to go look it up myself so thx.

Sepra
08-09-2006, 12:42 AM
I like truthorfiction.com too :thumbs:

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/a/area809.htm

NastyDawg
08-09-2006, 12:58 AM
Had no idea about that, thanks for the info.

Grimmy
08-09-2006, 09:40 PM
They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has-been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc.

If someone in my family was ill, my mother would call my cell phone. Same thing if someone was arrested or passed away.

As for the prize, yea right, I never win anything. If I did, I want it to be the lottery, in which I would know before anyone else did.

Just my aspect of that :)

Caged Anger
08-10-2006, 03:04 AM
good to know, thx

Mad Fox
08-11-2006, 12:16 PM
I am hopping that in reality not many ppl would fall for such a far out phone call