OUTLAWS The Machine
09-25-2002, 03:43 AM
> > > 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" 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 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 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 US 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 US 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 email 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
> > > Additional information can be obtained from the following AT&T Web
Site
> > >
> > >
> > > AT&T Fraud Education: At Home
> > >
> > > 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" 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 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 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 US 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 US 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 email 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
> > > Additional information can be obtained from the following AT&T Web
Site
> > >
> > >
> > > AT&T Fraud Education: At Home