Colleagues,
I hope this is a hoax about a hoax, but it comes to me under credible
credentials.
Subject: Important: PLEASE READ!
JUST IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY SEEN THIS ONE!
>Subject: area code 809-Important Please Read!!!!!!!!
>
>
> FYI
> Subj: Don't ever dial area code 809
> 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" 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 lots 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 $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 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 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.
>
> Sandi Van Handel
> AT&T Field Service Manager
> (920) 687-904
> Additional information can be obtained from the following AT&T
> Web
> Site
>
>
><http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#thre/s/>http://www.att.com/fraud/home.htm
l#thre/s/
>
>
William Harman, Head
Department of Philosophy and Religion (# 2753)
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
232 E Holt Hall // 615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403
(423) 755-4334 // fax (423)755-4153
Residence: 936 Mountain Creek Road, A-3
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37405
(423) 876-3471
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