This is something that has come up and just a fair warning to everyone. I work in telcomm so this has been going around.
Subject: ABOUT AREA CODE [809,284,876]
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: 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 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
<http://www.consumer.att.com/consumertips/areacode.html>