Phone Scam

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carolathompson

New member
Oct 11, 2007
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Just thought I would pass this along for anyone who makes calls to the DR, and just might get caught off gaurd with this phone scam.














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--- Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 9:23 PM












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:

Do Not 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
U.S. , 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.
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 :

AT&T | 809 Area Code and Other Long Distance Phone Scams
SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:
http://www.snopescom/fraud/telephone/809.asp


























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Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.10.6/1887 - Release Date: 1/11/2009 5:57 PM


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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - AVG Antivirus and Security Software - Real-time protection against viruses, spyware and malicious websites
Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.19/1942 - Release Date: 02/08/09 17:57:00

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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - AVG Antivirus and Security Software - Real-time protection against viruses, spyware and malicious websites
Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.19/1942 - Release Date: 02/03/09 17:48:00

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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - AVG Antivirus and Security Software - Real-time protection against viruses, spyware and malicious websites
Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.19/1941 - Release Date: 2/9/2009 6:50 AM






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GringoCArlos

Retired Ussername
Jan 9, 2002
1,416
40
0
Thanks Carola -keep circulating this "scam" message. Over the years, it has probably saved me from dozens or hundreds of pesky calls from shirt-sleeve relatives inthe US who read this "scam alert", and because it was on the internet, it had to be true. My gosh, even Snopes bought it. And they never make mistakes either.

No doubt, there are Dominican "976" numbers set up to do just this. Just like folks have "976" services in every area code of North America. You call 976 - you pay. Pretty simple.

Just for your benefit, please be aware that 809 was the area code for most of the Caribbean until the explosion of fax machines in the 80's, and later pagers in the 90's, and then cell phones, when it ws necessary to add more area codes.

Please don't tell my relatives - I am busy enjoying the peace and quiet of no phone calls. And I am not trying to bust your chops Carola, it is just that periodically, about every 2 years for the past 10 years, I suddenly get about 15 or 20 e-mails with this spam message from anyone who shares a drop of the same bloodlines in North America. I just respond - IT'S TRUE - DON'T EVER DIAL (809) - YOU'LL PAY ! Just don't expect me to call YOU!
 

Chirimoya

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2002
17,850
982
113
Don't believe everything you read on teh interwebs. Except for this post ;)

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