|
|
DO NOT DIAL AREA CODE 809
|
|||
| Scams and eMail Frauds Area Code 809 EBay Spoofing Microsoft Spoofing |
Yes, this scam is real, but not every phone number in the 809 area code is involved. The scam has been used with other area codes besides 809. The scheme preys upon U.S. and Canadian residents unfamiliar with the complexities of the phone system. Most of us expect that when we place a call a standard area-code + exchange + phone number combination (e.g., 213-555-1212), we're calling a person or entity located in the U.S. or Canada -- connections outside of those countries requiring the caller to first enter a country code. However, some territories and countries (such as the Dominican Republic or the British Virgin Islands) have also been assigned area codes, and therefore their phone numbers look like the "standard" phone numbers we are used to. Scammers use a variety of schemes to dupe North Americans into calling these numbers by sending messages to pagers, fax machines, e-mail addresses, or answering machines, accompanied by notifications that the recipients need to call or fax them back because:
MAJOR SCAM: Don't respond to Emails, phone calls, faxes 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 very quickly can easily cost you a hundred dollars or more, and is difficult to avoid unless you are aware of it. We would like 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 lots of money. There are lots of different permutations of this scam. 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 are 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 a couple of dollars 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 $20.00.
|
WHY IT WORKS: The 809 area code is located in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 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. homes that have 900 number blocking to avoid these kinds of charges, do not work in preventing 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 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 information message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam. Following are some links to other information you should find helpful: Alerts
have been posted at the National Fraud Web Site provided by the National
Fraud Information Center alerting businessmen to the "pager"
and "faxback" solicitations that employ the "809" callback
trick (such as one sprung on a newspaper that received a call from
entities representing a purported hotel developer in the Dominican
Republic asking for advertising rate quotes and claiming that
"start-up pressures prevent us at this time from using the
mails" to request rate cards). |
||
