Sent out from Verizon
Things are about to get worse, because that infamous offshore area
code (809) is in the process of breaking up into smaller chunks, and
you'll soon have to think twice about calling any of the following area
codes:
242, 246, 264, 268, 284, 345, 441, 473, 664, 758, 767, 784, 787,
868, 869,876 as well as 809. Write them down and check the list if you
get suspicious requests to call any of these.
DO NOT EVER DIAL AREA CODE (809)
This scam is being distributed all over the US It is pretty scary
especially given the way they try to get you to call.
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 $24,000 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 lot 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 U.S., you will apparently be charged $2,425
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 U.S. Since 809 is not in the U.S., 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.
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.
Things are about to get worse, because that infamous off-shore area
code (809) is in the process of breaking up into smaller chunks, and
you'll soon have to think twice about calling any of the following
area codes:
242, 246, 264, 268, 284, 345, 441, 473, 664, 758, 767, 784, 787,
868, 869,876 as well as 809.
Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and
colleagues to help them become aware of this scam.