got this in an email it's pretty weird

WRXwannbe · 11-09-2000, 02:46 PM

>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 & pass it on to all your friends & 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" Phone number this is spreading *extremely* quickly - can > easily cost you $24100 or more and is difficult to avoid unless you are > aware of it. 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. 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 numbers 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 keeping 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, 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 > 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 so they don't get ripped off.

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PainkillerZ · 11-09-2000, 05:11 PM

go check this out
http://www.scambusters.org/809Scam.html
"Z"

MadMax · 11-09-2000, 05:14 PM

hehe u beat me too it

oh well

[This message has been edited by MadMax (edited November 09, 2000).]

11-09-2000, 02:46 PM	#1
WRXwannbe Scooby Specialist Member#: 1954 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Long Beach, CA, USA Vehicle: 1997 Impreza L/WRS WRB	got this in an email it's pretty weird >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 & pass it on to all your friends & 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" Phone number this is spreading extremely quickly - can > easily cost you $24100 or more and is difficult to avoid unless you are > aware of it. 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. 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 numbers 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 keeping 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, 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 > 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 so they don't get ripped off. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-09-2000, 05:11 PM	#2
PainkillerZ Scooby Newbie Member#: 2517 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Rosemead, CA 91770	go check this out http://www.scambusters.org/809Scam.html "Z"

11-09-2000, 05:14 PM	#3
MadMax Scooby Specialist Member#: 1279 Join Date: Apr 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Danbury,CT <- Center of Univer Vehicle: 2000 MY00 SRP RS2.5 "Stock" kinda	hehe u beat me too it oh well [This message has been edited by MadMax (edited November 09, 2000).]