!! Area Code Scam !! (Might wanna check this out)

[DarNinja]

I got this in an email from a friend...

"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"

[forthelove]

hmmm.... then he puts his 920 area code number in there.. I wonder if thats the REAL scam ... *looks up 920*

[mysubaruimp]

Origins: Yes,
this scam is real, but four important pieces of information to keep in mind are:

* Not every phone number in the 809 area code is part of this scam, and calling such a number will not necessarily result in exorbitantly large charges on your phone bill. Most 809 numbers are ordinary, legitimate phone numbers.

* This scam has been used with other area codes besides 809.

* The amounts of money involved have been greatly exaggerated as this warning has circulated on the Internet over the past several years.

* This scam is not very common; the average U.S. resident is unlikely to ever encounter it.

[Reckless01]

it is true ...what a crock...i wouldnt pay the bill and they could just sue me for it....that would suck though heres a link to the story http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/809.htm#add

[Ray K]

that is ridiculous.... i had to email my dad to try and make sure he doesn't get caught up in that

[Hagios]

Yup; those scams are just as real as 419 scams.

Speaking of which, I have 39,000,000 USD in a bank in Nigeria, but I need about 20,000 dollars from one of you to help me get it out...

[Casket Crew]

The phone cos should put a block on that area code

[mattg]

920 area code is northern wisconsin ;)

[Casket Crew]

Originally Posted by mgranzow

920 area code is northern wisconsin ;)

We need to nuke northern wisconsin



LOL

[Hagios]

Originally Posted by Casket Crew

The phone cos should put a block on that area code

As was mentioned above, MOST phone numbers there are perfectly legitimate.

[Fabian]

That's too much!! Someone needs to open a "dial-a-ass-beating" company so I can have one fresh ass beating delivered anytime, anyplace for scammers!!

[DarNinja]

well none of that came directly from me, only indirectly.

I just got that in an email and copy/pasted it into here.

Make of it what you will.

[Casket Crew]

Originally Posted by Hagios

As was mentioned above, MOST phone numbers there are perfectly legitimate.

Sorry, I skiped reading it cuse I have seen that email before so I wasn't previe...