Word of Warning...

[Iowawegian]

Has anyone else heard of this?

 

 

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T. DON'T EVER DIAL 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. I 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:

 

Do Not 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.

 

They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family

member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been

arrested, died, or 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 U.S. , 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. WHY IT WORKS:

 

The 809 area=2 0code is located in the Dominican Republic .

The charges afterward 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.

AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE :http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045

SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE: http://www.snopescom

[MiCarl]

According to http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp this is overblown.

 

Particularly they state that the scam is rare, that the charges when the scam is employed are much lower than the emails circulating state and that your local phone company will typically help you remove the charges.

 

The article points out that most 809 numbers are legitimate numbers.

 

The ATT link states they will help their customers remove these charges.

[ToRide1]

If you ask your phone company to block any out going call to that area code that should fix it.

[chabicheka]

another scam is making collect calls from hotels in mexico to relatives in canada or usa to say they were safe and having a good time. will surely ruin YOUR TIME when the phone bill comes from the local phone company.

[Mariner Fan]

According to http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp this is overblown.

 

Particularly they state that the scam is rare, that the charges when the scam is employed are much lower than the emails circulating state and that your local phone company will typically help you remove the charges.

 

The article points out that most 809 numbers are legitimate numbers.

 

The ATT link states they will help their customers remove these charges.

 

 

Snopes is great for checking this stuff out!