[jsfg_cinti] FW: IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT AREA CODE 809

Dear JSFG Members,
 

FYI.  This is a copy of an e-mail I received from a friend of mine
approximately an hour ago.  It concerns a phone scam and the area codes to
avoid.

 

Steve

 

This is very important to know!!!

 

-----

 

  >>
  >> IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT AREA CODE CAUTION
  >>
  >> 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 e-mail:
  >>
  >> 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, 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




------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG Free Edition.
  Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.2.5/284 - Release Date:
3/17/2006

------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.2.5/284 - Release Date: 3/17/2006



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