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We Know About The 450.. But 809?
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» ashtraygirl replied on Fri Oct 8, 2004 @ 2:14am
ashtraygirl
Coolness: 90430
think this is for real?

809 Area Code 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 National Fraud Information Center and is costing victims a lots of money. There are lot 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 Hande AT&T Field Service Manager
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» blop replied on Fri Oct 8, 2004 @ 2:20am
blop
Coolness: 201475
oh shit lindsay. we got a message on our machine this morning...

we need to talk.
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Lone_Star replied on Fri Oct 8, 2004 @ 7:46am
lone_star
Coolness: 154000
oh shit
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Mali replied on Tue Oct 12, 2004 @ 5:56pm
mali
Coolness: 203060
i dont call anything that doesn't have a 450 or 514 in it
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» El_Presidente replied on Wed Oct 13, 2004 @ 12:01am
el_presidente
Coolness: 300270
you call 450? EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» neoform replied on Wed Oct 13, 2004 @ 1:51am
neoform
Coolness: 340610
yeah, if i ever got that kind of call and was charged, i would simply sue.

there's no way i would be reasonably held responsible for something so fraudulent.
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» El_Presidente replied on Wed Oct 13, 2004 @ 8:59pm
el_presidente
Coolness: 300270
its your answer to everything isn't it Ian?
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» neoform replied on Thu Oct 14, 2004 @ 1:04pm
neoform
Coolness: 340610
you got it! :D
i am half american after all.
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Mico replied on Mon Nov 22, 2004 @ 12:53pm
mico
Coolness: 151405
Fuck, my dad got a call from an 809 number.
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Lone_Star replied on Mon Nov 22, 2004 @ 7:21pm
lone_star
Coolness: 154000
What happened? Did he call them back?
Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Mico replied on Tue Nov 23, 2004 @ 5:59pm
mico
Coolness: 151405
He did call back (twice), but there was no answer.
We Know About The 450.. But 809?
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