Fwd: Don't ever dial area code 809

>> 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" area Phone Number.
>>
>> This is a very important issue of Scam Busters because
>> it alert s you to a scam that is spreading *extremely*
>> quickly, can easily cost you $2400 or more, and is
>> difficult to avoid unless you a re 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 m essage on your answering machine
>> or your pager, which asks you to call a num ber
>> 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-minu! te.
>> 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, 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 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 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