Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2001 21:34:12 EDT
From: WEvans6368@aol.com
Subject: Fwd: FW: Phone Scam

read this and take note

Barbara C. Walsh
      EO Compliance Account Manager
      B 617/C107
      3808 Six Forks Road
      Raleigh, NC 27609
      919-301-6224 or T/L 352-6224, fax 919-301-6709
      bcwalsh@us.ibm.com



-

---
FYI....
---------------------- Forwarded by Frank Wells/US/UNIFI on 08/23/2001
03:41 PM ---------------------------


Nathan Carrara
08/23/2001 03:37 PM





To:   Unifi-US WebHR Staff
cc:
Subject:  FW: Phone Scam


>

> TELEPHONE SCAM ALERT FROM VERIZON - AREA CODE 809 DON'T EVER DIAL AREA

> > CODE

> > 809

> >

> >     This scam is being distributed all over the U.S.  It is pretty

scary
> -

> > especially given the way they try to get you to call.

> >

> > MAJOR SCAM:

> >

> >     Don't respond to Emails, phone calls, 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 extremely

> > quickly

> > -can easily cost you $24,000 or more, and is difficult to avoid unless

> you

> >

> > are aware of it.

> >

> >     We'd 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 lot 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're 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 U.S., you will apparently be charged

> > $2,425 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

809
> > area code can be used as a "pay-per-call" number, similar to 900

numbers
> > in

> > the U.S.  Since 809 is not in the U.S., 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. phones have 900 number blocking to avoid these kinds

> of

> > charges, 900 number blocking will not prevent 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 and/or

> > investigate further and just disregard the message.

> >

> >     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.  Things are about to get worse, because

> that

> >

> > infamous off-shore area code (809) is in the process of breaking up

into
>

> > smaller chunks, and you'll soon have to think twice about calling any

of
> > the

> > following area codes: 242, 246, 264, 268, 284, 345, 441, 473, 664, 758,

> > 767,

> > 784, 787, 868, 869, 876 as well as 809.

> >

> >     Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and

> > colleagues

> > to help them become aware of this scam.

> >


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