AREA CODE 809

[Billy]

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 email:

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, where as 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 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.