Phone call scam

[eyelostit]

Got this from my niece, i haven't gotten any calls, this could be some BS but just wanted you to know. here it is

ABOUT AREA CODE 809
>
>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: DONT DIAL AREA CODE 809 , 284 AND 876
>
>THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T. DON'T 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 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 Dominican Republic They are not
>regulated by the US laws.
>
>
>
>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 l ong 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 (wlmailhtml:{C6A2865A-E234-49EE-98A5-9BFB8DDAAA19}mid://00000088/!x-usc:http://www.consumer.att.com/consumertips/areacode.html)
>
>
>

[Dollydog]

Thanks for the warning and the reminder, Dolly. This scam was going around a couple of years ago and I think we were here, not in the US, at the time.
Jo-Ann & Lady :)

[k9diabetes]

Here's some information from the official AT&T site (http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045):


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.