-----Original Message-----
From: Wong, Don R. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2001 8:25 AM
To: 'kim'; 'jay'; 'dad'
Subject: FW: Scam

Check this out, big time scam....

Donny



>
>
>
>               Subject: FW: Area Code 809 Scam
>
>               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 & 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 $24100 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 lot 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 $24100.00.
>
>               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, whereas 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
>               Additional information can be obtained from the following
> AT&T WebSite
>               <http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#thre/s/>
>
>

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