oops, I just realized I shouldn't have mentioned Tony at all, since he was
just commenting on the validity of some of the information.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Babcock [mailto:BillB@bnj.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 18, 2000 6:58 AM
To: Tony Drews; 'Friends of Triumph'
Subject: RE: NoN TECH - Potential Telephone Fraud > 809 area code
Okay guys and gals, here's how to identify a fraudulent "internet
alert"--essentially a email virus for those to stupid to write their own
code. They generally warn of viruses, but sometimes "scams". There are a
number of boneheads around that find passing these around great fun. They
apparently are not capable of much originality.
The notice says something like "this is spreading very quickly"
It refers to several large companies and/or government or quasi-government
agencies that are supposedly "verifying" the problem--but there is no direct
attribution or any URL where confirming information or details might be
found
The "danger" is high
and the last few sentences ask you to forward the message to everyone you
know.
I know we've been through this before. I'm not accusing you of anything,
Tony, you just got taken.
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Drews [mailto:drewst03@home.com]
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2000 4:11 PM
To: 'Friends of Triumph'
Subject: Re: NoN TECH - Potential Telephone Fraud > 809 area code
This alert has some truth to it. Here's a link to an article on it:
http://www.zdnet.com/zdhelp/stories/main/0,5594,2651153,00.html
- Tony Drews
jaboruch wrote:
> Listers this warning was distributed around at work and I thought that
> you may find it of interest. Joe(B)
> >
> > 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=21 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.
> >
>
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