Important info about area codes

@meme0907 (3481)
United States
April 24, 2007 9:25pm CST
I got this in my email & thought y'all would be interested. 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: DON'T EVER 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 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 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
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
25 Apr 07
Rhanks for the reminder as this has been going around for quit some time its the same with 900 no. dont ever do them for alot of them are for prisoners to use your no t o call where they like The phone no.s I hate to see is 000-000-00000 or 999-999-9999 They get ya to wondering but dont do it!
1 person likes this
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
26 Apr 07
Hey LKo12 This was the first I had heard about this scam-I hope they get these mutha's & put 'em behind bars +'s 2 U :D
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
2 May 07
me too grrrrrrrrrrrrr
1 person likes this
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
12 May 07
you just got +'d ;)
@CatNPK (461)
• United States
14 May 07
This is actually a scam email about a real scam. Most area code 809 numbers are legitimate. See www.scambusters.org/809Scam.html for more information. NEVER pay ANY attention to anything you get in your email unless you know exactly who it is from. Yes, there is actually an 809 area code scam out there. This particular email is a rewritten scam warning that makes the ridiculous claim that no one should ever dial 809 area codes. That is like saying, don't evern dial a 207 area code (Seattle) because one person or company is scamming you. Personally I think all 900 numbers are scams anyway - and the 809 numbers are the same thing for their area. Most importantly, the 809 scam is very old and that area code is today only in the Dominican Republic. There are several other area codes in other nations that could lead to the same issue. See www.lincmad.com/caribbean.html for more information. Finally, if you are stupid enough to fall for these things, you deserve it. Think about it - why would you ever return a phone call to a number you don't know, with a shady (if any) message attached?
1 person likes this
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
25 May 07
Wow, I did not know that-thanks for posting those links & giving us the scoop. Thank you for adding to this discussion +'s 2 U & all :)
• United States
25 Apr 07
I've seen this scam before as well. Thanks for passing on the information again. It's always helpful to keep it fresh in your mind. ++++
1 person likes this
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
25 Apr 07
Hey CDW No prblem, I just hope they catch these people & prosecute them +++
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
13 May 07
I hadn'y heard of this before thank you for posting this. I have never recieved any with this area code before but I will watch it.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
27 Apr 07
i am canadian and have never heard of these scams before...chances are we have stuff like that too up here...thanx for the heads up, i will keep my eyes (and ears lol) open :-)
1 person likes this
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
30 Apr 07
Thank You for adding to this discussion +'s 2 U :D