OT. For your protection.

[Kevin E. Ramsey]

I know that some people may complain about me posting this to the list. But
I'm doing it in the hopes that it may prevent one of us from getting scamed.
I admit I haven't checked to see if this is one of those hoax thingees, but
I think I've heard about this scam before.

Kevin



We 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 email:

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, where as
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 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