Posted by Mark (WV) on February 27, 2001 at 22:11:53:
Yeah, there is a pretty good story with facts on scambusters.com . Its a good site an when you get on there list they will notify you daily of all scams that come up.
Can this be for real? - Posted by Jim
Posted by Jim on February 27, 2001 at 19:40:46:
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 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, but
> >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. phones have 900 number blocking to
>avoid
> >these kinds of charges, 900 number blocking will not prevent 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 and/or Investigate further and 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)687-9045
I’d check out this site first - Posted by Rick(CA)
Posted by Rick(CA) on February 28, 2001 at 02:01:54:
before you spread info like this. There are a lot of hoaxes and you don’t want to be responsible for spreading more.
I don’t have time to look it up, but it sounds familiar.
http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/science/urbanlegends/cs/nethoaxes/index.htm
Re: Can this be for real? - Posted by Gib
Posted by Gib on February 27, 2001 at 22:48:35:
Read about a couple of weeks ago, but the article said the charges $24 a minute. I’d love to see someone collect on a $24,000.00 phone bill.
Re: Can this be for real? - Posted by Greg NY
Posted by Greg NY on February 27, 2001 at 20:29:31:
Yeah I heard about this. I was told that there is nothing YOU can do because YOU made the call.
It’s dirty but pretty clever if you think about it. BUT still dirty.