DaveNH
Gold Member
I received the following from security where I work.
I don't think it is a hoax. It came from the VP.
> 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 & 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 $24100 or more, and is difficult to avoid
> unless you are aware of it. We 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 lot of money. There are lots
> of different permutations of this scam, but
> 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, 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's 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 $24100.00.
> 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. phones have 900 number blocking
> to avoid these kinds of charges, 900 number blocking will not prevent
> 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 and/or investigate further and just disregard the message.
> Be wary of emails/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.
I don't think it is a hoax. It came from the VP.
> 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 & 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 $24100 or more, and is difficult to avoid
> unless you are aware of it. We 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 lot of money. There are lots
> of different permutations of this scam, but
> 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, 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's 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 $24100.00.
> 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. phones have 900 number blocking
> to avoid these kinds of charges, 900 number blocking will not prevent
> 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 and/or investigate further and just disregard the message.
> Be wary of emails/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.
