809

it is to ur benefit to read this; it could very well save u about 2 thousand bucks

 

ahem:

 

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT AREA CODE 809.........................

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

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp

 

Claim: Unsuspecting phone customers have been gulled by scam artists into placing calls to area codes in the Caribbean that result in hefty charges.

 

Status: Real fraud, but its usage is rare and most victims are taken for only a small amount of money.

 

Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2000

myth: BUSTED

myth: BUSTED

 

http://i16.tinypic.com/2lthhrm.jpg

omg soma that looks just like him xD

myth: BUSTED

 

http://i16.tinypic.com/2lthhrm.jpg

 

ROLFCOPTER LOLOL LMAO /exaggeration

soma is my hero lol

roflcopter....that is freaking awesome

That is amazing Soma

[align=center:508619ea87]AT&T on the 809 scam

 

FCC on the 809 scam

 

Yeah - be aware, be smart, don't fall for it . . . but not a huge concern.[/align:508619ea87]

I'm not going to answer to any phones numbers...and just be safe I'm not going to answer my door either!

Hmm....my phone number starts with 809.

those 809 people must feel pretty popular with all those people calling them =D