Nightmare phone call

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Rag1

Executive Chef
Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Messages
3,022
Location
Berks Cty, Pa.
I don't know whether thi is true, but a heads up anyway.....

ABOUT AREA CODE
> >
> > We actually received a call last week from the 809
> >area code. The woman said 'Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed you--get
> >back to us quickly. I Have something important to tell you.' Then she
> >repeated a phone number beginning with 809 . 'We didn't respond'.
> >
> > Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
> >
> > Subject: DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809 , 284 AND
> >876
> >
> > 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.
> > They get you to call by telling you that it is
> >information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone
> >has-been arrest ed, died, or 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 $24,100.00.
> >
> > WHY IT WORKS:
> >
> > The 809 area code is located in theBritish Virgin
> >Islands (The Bahamas).
> > 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 on these area codes can be found from ATT at:






http://www.consumer.att.com/consumertips/areacode.html




809 Area Code Scam
Be cautious when responding to e-mails or phone calls from the 809, 284 or 876 area codes.

Periodically, e-mails warning of a scam involving calls from the 809 area code circulate. The e-mails contend that there has been fraud associated with unscrupulous pay-per-call operators in that area code. However, the message contains some misinformation, especially the highly exaggerated cost of a phone call to the 809 area code, which is a legitimate area code for the Dominican Republic. Fortunately, this scam is less prevalent in recent years as a result of work done by AT&T to eliminate access to fraudulent pay-per-call operators.

This long distance phone scam causes consumers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills. Consumers usually receive a message telling them to call a phone number with an 809, 284 or 876 area code in order to collect a prize, find out information about a sick relative, etc. The caller assumes the number is a typical three-digit U.S. area code; however, the caller is actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and charged international call rates. Unfortunately, consumers don't find out that they have been charged higher international call rates until they receive their bill.

AT&T offers the following information and tips:

Return calls to familiar numbers only. As a general rule, return calls from numbers that contain familiar or recognizable area codes. You may call your directory assistance or long distance operator to check the area code location.
Carefully read your telephone bill. Make sure that you only receive charges from your provider of choice. Ensure you thoroughly understand charges listed on your phone bill, have chosen to do business with all of the listed providers billing for those charges and have authorized additional fees invoiced. If your local service provider has changed, you will receive a final bill from the former provider and a notice of service disconnection.
If you believe that you have been scammed:

Contact the carrier with whom the charge originated, whose name and toll-free telephone number should be printed on the same bill page as the charge in question. Often, the problem can be resolved with a single phone call.
If the carrier with whom the charge originated does not agree to resolve the problem, contact AT&T. AT&T will work with you and the carrier to help remove fraudulent charges from the phone bill.
You may file a complaint online with the Federal Communications Commission about this and/or related phone scams.
 
HEY

If it is a foreign company billing you, just let them try and collect!!!!!
PARTY!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the info.
 
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