Hi Don--- this is a real warning, but not a new one. As you will see
from the excerpt below (from the About.com website) there are many
versions, not all accurate, so the datails aren't always good.
That's why they suggest referring folks to the "scambusters" website listed
below.
NOT YOUR FAULT ! --- but just a suggestion to others on the list as to how
to handle it. Thanks for being on the alert and keeping an eye out for
things that could trouble us !
FROM: About.com-- http://urbanlegends.about.com/:
Sightings, Notes & Updates
809 Area Code Phone Scam
08/05/99 - Various alerts are now
circulating warning consumers not to
comply with phone, pager or email requests
to dial numbers beginning
with the 809 area code to "settle an unpaid
account" or "collect a
wonderful prize," etc. According to these
alerts, the area code is in the
Caribbean and can be set up as a
"pay-per-call" number (like 900 numbers
in the U.S.). People who respond to these
requests can get stuck with
whopping phone bills for international call.
This information is basically true. The
email warnings originated from an
article published several years ago in
Internet ScamBusters, a respectable
newsletter that keeps subscribers apprised
of current frauds and scams. A
more recent AT&T publication confirms that
the scam is real and still
active.
Multiple versions of the email exist because
people can and do alter such
texts before forwarding them on, which means
any specific message you
receive may or may not contain accurate
details.
For that reason, recipients are best advised
not to forward the email
warnings, but rather share the URL of this
updated article from the
original source:
http://www.scambusters.org/809Scam.html
UPDATE: Why has this 1996 alert been revived
years later? Netlore
watcher David Spalding ventures a theory in
Hoax du Jour.
>----- 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!
SNIPPED
Camilla Flintermann, CG for Peter 82/70/55
Oxford, Ohio
<[log in to unmask]>
on the web at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm
and also at http://www.geocities.com/camillahf/index.html
"Ask me about the CARE list for Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! "
And visit the CARE webring at
http://www.crosswinds.net/~caregivers/index.html
