From: James.Jackson@broadwing.com
Date: Mon Jul 28 2003 - 16:20:23 GMT-3
There's no special country code needed to call 809 (Caribbean) from US. Just
1-809 as if calling another US area code. 809 used to cover quite a number
of countries in the Caribbean. Most have since started using their own
country codes but they still resemble a US area code - simply dial 1+
10digits. I was lucky enough to live in area code 809 for some 15 yrs ;)
James
-----Original Message-----
From: David Hickman [mailto:dwh@landtitleco.com]
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 1:53 PM
To: ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: Re: 809 Area Code - Scam
This email has been circulating for years. I don't know why people insist
on sending this stuff to fill peoples mail boxes.
First if this is not in the country you would have to dial a country code
and that should be your first clue not to call.
Second you can dispute any charges on your phone bill and not have to pay.
Your phone company is not responsible for collecting the charges to other
countries toll call charges and can be dropped off your bill with a simple
phone call. Really the phone company doesn't care, because they are not
making money on it.
On top of that have you ever tried to collect money from outside your own
country? It is very difficult, so if you dispute the charges they would
most likely NEVER be able to collect a cent from you.
Please lets not send this stuff on this list.
Thanks,
David Hickman
-----Original Message-----
From: Khan, Ahmad [mailto:ahmad.khan@eds.com]
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 8:58 AM
To: ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: FW: 809 Area Code - Scam
I hate spreading news, but this seems kind of important.
Mohammad
-----Original Message-----
From: Saltmarsh, Elaine M
Sent: July 28, 2003 8:47 AM
To: Oshawa Centre Employees
Subject: FW: 809 Area Code - Scam
Hi Everyone,
You may have already heard about this one, this was forwarded to me and I
thought I'd share as a "heads up" to everyone else.
Elaine
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 in
the "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. Sandi Van Handel AT&T Field Service Manager (920)687-904
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