FYI
This is pretty scary especially given how 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!
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 Internet Scam Busters! Because it alerts
you to a scam that is spreading *extremely* quickly - can
easily cost you $100 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 and is costing victims a lot of money.
There are lots of different permutations of this scam, but
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:
Permutation #1: Internet Based Phone Scam Via Email You
receive an email, typically with a subject line of "*ALERT*"
or "Unpaid account." The message, which is being spammed
across the net, says: I am writing to give you a final
24hrs to settle your outstanding account.. If I have not
received the settlement in full, I will commence legal
proceedings without further delay. If you would like to
discuss this matter to avoid court action, call Mike Murray
at Global Communications on at 1-809-496-2700.
Permutation #2: Phone Or Pager Scam You 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're 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 $25
per-minute! Sometimes the person who answers the phone will
speak broken English and pretend not to understand you.
Other times, you'll just 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
$100.00.
HERE'S 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 US 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 US 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/or disregard the message.
Be *very* 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 our 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 issue of Internet Scam Busters! 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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