OT. For your protection.

[Don]

Hi Kevin,

I'ts best to check these things out first. Enjoy!

http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HBScams.shtml#809

At 05:54 PM 7/15/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
>

Regards,
Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.P.T.

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