809 AREA CODE

[dawhunt]

I just recieved and e-mail from a friend that recieved and e-mail to call a # with an 809 area code.He did some checking and this area code is for the Virgin Islands and like a 900 # you have to pay for calling that #.
If you call the 809# you will be charged #2400.00 a min.What you 'll get is a recording
that tries to keep you on the phone as long as possible you could be charged a small fortune for calling this #.So DON"T call any # with an 809 area code.You could possibly even recieve a phone call asking you to call this # saying you've got money comeing or a family member
is sick.Don't call an 809 area code.
Bob

[Fast Water]

I recieved this detail through the SWWA.
I can only assume it to be true......
Sounds about right.
__________________________________

Message from a apparently valid source


Subject: 809 AREA CODE//please read!

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 did not 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" 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 U.S., 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 U.S.
Since 809 is not in the U.S., 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 yourlocal 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.

[ 02-23-2003, 07:19 PM: Message edited by: Fast Water ]

[chillybones]

good info. thanks chillybones

[Pitch Pocket]

Don't panic. 809 is the Dominican Republic, 284 is the British Virgin Islands, and 876 is Jamaica. I know people in Jamaica, and BVI and use those area codes to call them. How else would I be able to talk to them? It does not cost $2400 per minute, but my normal long distance rate to those countries.

What I don't do is return calls to this area from people I don't know. Just like I don't return the call to Dr. CC Nidimma from Nigeria wanting to have my bank account number so he can deposit my share of the $82 million dollars they are trying to get out of their country.
[img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

There are scams that charge outragous rates when you call them, so you have to beware, but if you want to call Jamaica or the other countries, you have to use that area code.

[The Fishing Geek]

Confirmation.

[skein]

Okay, so I slip into PETA's offices and quietly edge my way over to the phone and ....

:grin:

Nah, I wouldn't do that - even to "them."

Skein