Posted by Dwight/KY on 8/2/10 9:47pm
Msg #347368
New Area Code
FYI-
>New Area Code - PLEASE READ Be sure you read this and pass it on.
>I checked it out with AT&T and Snopes - it's true.
>809 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 809We did not respond. Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
>
>Do Not 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 arrested, 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 da ys, people
>unknowingly return these calls.
>
>If you call from the U.S. , 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. WHY IT WORKS:
>
>The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic
>The charges afterward 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.
>
>AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE :
>rel=nofollow target="_blank">
>http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045
>
>SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:
>http://www.snopes.com/ Search under 809 area code
>ï
| Reply by Cari on 8/2/10 10:07pm
Msg #347370
oh WOW! Thx! n/m
| Reply by rengel/CA on 8/2/10 10:08pm
Msg #347371
I always google an area code that I am unfamiliar with. I just googled this and it came up scam , scam, scam.
Good info
| Reply by jba/fl on 8/2/10 10:20pm
Msg #347372
Snopes says there is SOME misinformation in that email and this has been going on for a long time. This is not new; they collected this info in 2000.
ATT says the same - http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045
They tell you this is a Domincan Republic number and if you know who you are calling, there is not a problem. But, if you hear there is a prize, or sick relative, etc., then you might be wary. They go on to say:
"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."
You cannot take the word of anyone who just sends out these blanket emails. You must read the links, not just pass them on.
| Reply by Susan Fischer on 8/2/10 10:33pm
Msg #347374
What would be their remedy if I just didn't pay the
fauxfauxn bill from some crook in the Dominican Republic?
I wonder if the US would extradite me for a scam to a Third World Country?
Not that I'm going to make the call and test this out, mind you, but it does come to mind. If AT&T is "just the middle man", well, my contract with them doesn't really give them the authority to acknowledge or give purchase to this scam, does it?
Anyhoo, really good post.
| Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/3/10 5:47am
Msg #347390
Thanks & agree, jba ...
"You cannot take the word of anyone who just sends out these blanket e-mails. You must read the links, not just pass them on."
Pet peeve here, too.
This particular fraud issue is 10 years old, occurances are rare (according to Snopes, etc) and actual amounts charged to folks was in the $25-100 range.
Still fraud, still good to know, just doesn't need the hyper-ventilation of things.
| Reply by MW/VA on 8/3/10 8:52am
Msg #347401
Re: Thanks & agree, jba ...
IMO the real purpose of these emails is to spread fear & panic.
| Reply by Dwight/KY on 8/3/10 11:47am
Msg #347423
New Area Code
"IMO the real purpose of these emails is to spread fear & panic."
Excuse me for trying to be helpful and informative. I did not post this to spread fear & panic. I did not know this was 10 years old. My son sent me the email because he knows I call a lot of strange numbers in this business. He was trying to help me out and I thought I would pass this information along because it might help someone else. Why do some people think the worst in any situation when this was not my intent at all.
So much for posting here anymore.
| Reply by MistarellaFL on 8/3/10 11:53am
Msg #347425
Dwight
I don't think they were referring to you as the one spreading fear & panic.
I think they were referring to the original email sender.
Not your son, either.
The person or entity that originially sent the email.
Don't be so thin skinned, and don't try to read between the lines.
It is what it is.
| Reply by MW/VA on 8/3/10 11:57am
Msg #347426
Exactly, the post wasn't directed at you personally,
Dwight. It was a general statement about those kind of emails.
I get many of those forwarded to me by one particular friend, who is easily drawn into the fear.
My sincere apologies if you thought I was referring to you.
| Reply by Dwight/KY on 8/3/10 12:03pm
Msg #347427
Re: Exactly, the post wasn't directed at you personally,
Thank you for your apology. I did think you were referring to me.
| Reply by jba/fl on 8/3/10 1:32pm
Msg #347437
Re: Exactly, the post wasn't directed at you personally,
Not at you at all.
| Reply by James Dawson on 8/3/10 12:57pm
Msg #347431
876 is Jamaica..been calling there a looong time no problem n/m
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