|
***Alert***
TELEPHONE SCAM ALERT FROM VERIZON
AREA CODE 809
DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809 This scam is being distributed all
over the U.S. It is pretty scary - especially given the way they
try to get you to call.
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 $24,000 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 lot 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 U.S., you will apparently
be charged $2,425 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 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 U.S. Since 809 is not in the
U.S., 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. 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 and/or investigate further and just disregard the message.
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. Things are about to get worse, because that infamous
offshore area code (809) is in the process of breaking! ! ! up into
smaller chunks, and you'll soon have to think twice about calling
any of the following area codes: 242, 246, 264, 268, 284, 345, 441,
473, 664, 758, 767, 784, 787, 868, 869, 876, as well as 809.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Davis Communications, Inc., an Atlanta, GA. based "Value Added
Reseller" of voice and data communications equipment, has joined
"Elastic Networks" as an "Installation and Service"
partner.
"Elastic Networks" manufactures a line of "Hospitality"
and DSL products based on "Etherloop" Technology. As an
"Installation and Service" partner Davis Communications,
Inc. is trained and certified to install and service Etherloop products
in Hotels and Central Offices.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology News
|
|
