I just got this in an email, not sure how valid, but with all that's going on thought I'd post it!
>
> Subject: DON'T DIAL THIS AREA CODE !!!!!
>
>
>
> 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& 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 $24100 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, but
>
>
>
> 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 $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 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. 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. 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)687-9045
> (877)479-7902
> (920)687-9182
>
>