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I received this message a few minutes ago. Thought I would pass it on.
> **Please do not reply to this e-mail**
> AREA CODE 809 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 because it is
> spreading extremely quickly, can easily cost you a lot of money, and is
> difficult to avoid unless you are aware of it.
> We'd like thank Barry Gruebbel for raising the flag on this scam. This
> scam has been identified by the National Fraud Information Center, Verizon
> Communications and the AT&T Fraud Prevention Center. 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 a very large per minute long distance rate. Or, you will 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 could be charged hundreds or even thousands
> of dollars.
> 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 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 will end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they
> have done nothing wrong.
> If you have other questions about phone scams, please visit these web
> sites:
> http://www.fraud.org/welmes.htm
> http://www.att.com/fraud/att.html
> http://www.bellatlantic.com/security/fraud/index.htm
> Thanks,
David J. Slavik
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