The truth about this Scam/Hoax

subject: IMPORTANT AREA CODE INF

The following AT&T info was forwarded to us by Verizon.
It is something good for all employees to know at home as well as at the
office.

Charles Norwood
Director of Purchasing


We actually received a call last week from the 809 area
code.
The woman said "Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed
you--get back to us quickly.
Have something important to tell you." Then she repeated
a phone number beginning with 809 . "We didn't respond".

Then this week, we received the following e-mail:

Subject: DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809, 284 AND 876

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 alerts you to a scam that is spreading *extremely* quickly, can
easily cost you $2400 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
NationalFraudInformationCenterand 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 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.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

The truth about this Scam/Hoax