Re: Real? Watch out.
- Reference 809 Area Code Phone Scam
Phil: This is basically an old internet hoax that is comming back.
Various alerts are now circulating warning consumers not to respond
to phone, pager, or email requests to dial a number beginning with
the 809 area code to "settle an unpaid account" to "collect a
wonderful prize," etc. According to the alerts, the area code is in
the Caribbean and can be set up as a "pay-per-call" number (like 900
numbers in the U.S.). People who respond to these requests can get
stuck with a whopping phone bill for an international call.
This information is basically true. The warnings originated in an
edition of Internet ScamBusters, a respectable newsletter that keeps
subscribers apprised of current frauds and scams. The original
article appeared in 1996, but a recent AT&T publication indicates
that the scam is still active.
Multiple versions of the alert exist because people can and do alter
such texts before sending them on, which means the specific message
you receive may or may not contain accurate details.
For that reason, recipients are best advised not to forward warnings
like these any further. If you feel compelled to warn your friends of
the telephone scam, send them the URL of the original article
--- In ntb-OffTopic@egroups.com, "phil" <phil@c...> wrote:
> Not known if it is real.
> SCAM SCAM and more SCAM.
> 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
> this & pass it on to all your friends & family so they don't Get
> * MAJOR SCAM
> Send it on.