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Return-path: FMamatroll@aol.com
From: FMamatroll@aol.com
Full-name: FMamatroll
Message-ID: <fb.15ac559.25bf6f89@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2000 16:28:41 EST
Subject: Fwd: SPECIAL ALERT - DO NOT CALL AREA CODE # 809
To: britishtea@hotmail.com, DBeck0614@aol.com, FastmetalBDF@aol.com,
joseph.golub@SNET.net, krad222@yahoo.com, matias@erols.com,
phawley1@hotmail.com
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Return-path: Maapes@aol.com
From: Maapes@aol.com
Full-name: Maapes
Message-ID: <18.8296f3.25bdd31b@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 11:08:59 EST
Subject: SPECIAL ALERT - DO NOT CALL AREA CODE # 809
To: Mahaha@snet.net, Apeschit77@aol.com, FMamatroll@aol.com,
AngieFrau@aol.com, JNBGAB@aol.com, Dssolitude@aol.com,
DMF137@aol.com, WE-3@Prodigy.net, Apegirl911@aol.com
MIME-Version: 1.0
X-Mailer: Windows AOL sub 45
Subject: Area Code 809
Subject: FW: Area Code 809
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 12:04:57 -0500
Please pass on....
Subject: SPECIAL ALERT - DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809
This is pretty scary-especially given how they try to get you
to call. Be sure you read this & pass it on to all your friends &
family so they don't get scammed!
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
Internet ScamBusters! Because it alerts you to a scam that is spreading
*extremely* quickly - can easily cost you $100 or more, and - is difficult
to avoid unless you are aware of it. We'd like to thank Paul Bruemmer and
Brian Stains 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:
Permutation #1: Internet Based Phone Scam Via Email You receive an
email, typically with a subject line of "*ALERT*" or "Unpaid account." The
message, which is being spammed across the net, says: I am writing to give
you a final 24hrs to settle your outstanding account.. If I have not
received the settlement in full, I will commence legal proceedings without
further delay. If you would like to discuss this matter to avoid court
action, call Mike Murray at Global Communications on at 1-809-496-2700.
Permutation #2: Phone Or Pager Scam You 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're 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 $25
per-minute! Sometimes the person who answers the phone will speak broken
English and pretend not to understand you. Other times, you'll just 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 $100.00.
HERE'S 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 US 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 US 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, investigate further and/or disregard the message.
Be *very* 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 our 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 issue of Internet ScamBusters! To your
friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam so
they don't get ripped off.
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