do not dial 809 area code

[4g63t]

New Area Code - PLEASE READ Be sure you read this and pass it on.

809 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 did not respond. Then this week, we received the following e-mail:

Do Not DIAL AREA CODE 809, 284, AND 876 from the U.S. or Canada.

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 U.S. or Canada, you will apparently be charged a minimum of
$2425 per-minute.

And you'll also 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.
WHY IT WORKS:

The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic .
The charges afterward 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.

AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE :http://www.att.com/Gen/press-room?pid=6045


SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809..asp

[rykeith]

Good info, but links are broken

[4g63t]

i didnt even try the links i just copyed and pasted that whole thing off another forum

[Mr Twisty]

This from Urban Legend:

Analysis: Variants of the 809 area code scam alert have circulated via email and Internet message boards since 1996. Albeit in an inaccurate and grossly exaggerated fashion, the message describes a real scam in which consumers have been tricked into dialing international phone numbers and racking up unexpected long-distance charges (though nowhere near the whopping $24,100 reported above). According to AT&T, the scam has become far less prevalent in recent years thanks to the preventative efforts of long distance carriers.

The 809 area code scam works because a few regions outside the U.S., including the Caribbean and Canada, can be dialed directly without the usual "011" international prefix. "809" is the area code of the Dominican Republic. "284" is the area code of the British Virgin Islands. "876" is the area code of Jamaica. Since these numbers aren't subject to U.S. laws, there is no legal requirement to inform callers in advance of any special rates or fees. Perpetrators conned victims into dialing the numbers by leaving messages claiming that a relative has been injured or arrested, an unpaid account must be settled, or a cash prize can be claimed, etc.

AT&T advises that consumers always check the location of unfamiliar area codes before dialing. This can be done by querying the NANPA website (North American Numbering Plan) or simply Googling the area code (e.g., 809 area code) and viewing the top result.

[PQ]