http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HBScams.shtml#809
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
>Behalf Of Ptegler
>Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 12:38 PM
>To: triumphs-owner@autox.team.net; triumphs@autox.team.net;
>spridgets@autox.team.net; spitfires@autox.team.net;
>spitfire-enthusiast@egroups.com; nass@egroups.com; mgs@autox.team.net
>Subject: Not a joke... a reality of International affairs! Watch OUT!
>
>
>forwarded from a business list
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Schwarten, Dave
>Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 11:48 AM
>To: All Hands
>Subject: Phone Scam
>Importance: High
>
>
>> Please read the details below and be careful of e-mails, phone calls or
>> pages with call back numbers to an 809 area code.
>
>> Thanks, Dave
>
>
>> 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. It
>> can easily cost you $24,100 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 $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. 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 involve 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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