Addict
04-04-2003, 01:29 PM
This is straight from the BBB. Its not a hoax.
BBB Scam Alert: A Members Only Service from your Better Business Bureau:
Be sure you read this and pass it on to all your friends and family so they don't get scammed!
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_Alert 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.
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 e-mail, 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 may not want to get involved and very 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.
BBB Scam Alert: A Members Only Service from your Better Business Bureau:
Be sure you read this and pass it on to all your friends and family so they don't get scammed!
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_Alert 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.
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 e-mail, 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 may not want to get involved and very 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.