----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dugan, Cheryl" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>; <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2000 6:19 AM
Subject: FW: phone scam


> 
> 
> >  
> > Subject: FW: phone scam
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > [Gascho, Esther]  I received this notice and felt I should pass it on to
> > you.   
> > 
> > DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809 UNLESS YOU KNOW THE PARTY YOU ARE
> > CALLING
> > 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 $24,100 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, but
> > HERE'S HOW IT WORKSYou 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.
> > 
> > WHY IT WORKS The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands
> > and
> > 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 email 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)687-9045
> >   877 479-7902
> > (920)687-9182
> > 
> > [  End of Original Text ]
> > 
> > 
> > 
>