?
----- Original Message -----  
From: kamelang  
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; 
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 11:40 AM
Subject: Fw: NEVER DIAL AREA CODE 809

?
----- Original Message -----  
From: Cherise Hayes 
To: Tricia DuBois ; Rocky Stevens ; Robyn ; Mike M ; Mike A ; Melissa ; Karyn 
;  Brent Redus ; Brian  South ; Karl ; Julia ;  Jennifer  Carranza ; Frances 
; Dad ; Connie  ; Chad  Seger ; Bill  Roberts 
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 11:12 AM
Subject: Fw: NEVER DIAL AREA CODE 809

<< <? 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 a very important issue of Scam  
? > > Busters 
? > > > > >3D21 because it  alerts you to a scam that is spreading 
*extremely* 
? > > >  > >quickly - can easily cost you $24100 or more, and is difficult 
to  
? > > avoid 
? > > > > >unless you are  aware of it.? We'd like to thank Paul Bruemmer and 
? > >  Brian 
? > > > > >Stains for bringing this scam to our  attention. 
? > > > > > 
? > > > >  >This scam has also been identified by the National Fraud 
?  Information 
? > > > > >Center & 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, 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? $24100.00. 
?  > > > > > 
? > > > > >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 & 
? > >  warned 
? > > > > >of charges & 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'trecognize 
? > > > > >  and/or 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 & your long 
distance 
? >  > > > >carrier will not want to get involved & will most likely  tell 
you 
? > > that 
? > > > > they're  
? > > > > >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 &  
? > > colleagues 
? > > > > > to help them  become aware of this scam so they don't get ripped 
? off.