The Newest Telephone Scams - a 'Need to Know' for Anyone with a Telephone

This information is confirmed and verified by AT&T. DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809. This is being distributed all over the US. This is pretty devious especially given the way they try to entice you to call resorting to scare tactics! Don't let your emotions rule. Stop. Breath. Think.

Be sure you read this and pass it on. They get you to call by leaving URGENT messages that 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 without a second thought. If you call from the United States, you will apparently be charged $2,425per-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 Bahamas).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 entire message to your friends, family and associates to help them become aware of this scam. Additional information on these area codes can be found from ATT at: http://www.consumer.att.com/consumertips/areacode.html

Subject: 809,284,876* Area Code Cons

The following links detail the insidious nature of this particular con. You might want to pass it along to everyone you know:

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp and

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp

*The best way to stay on top of NEW area codes or scams is to make it a habit of visiting the above links on a regular basis. Look our for your self and your family and friends. Another way is to visit www.whitepages.com. Click on "Reverse Phone Numbers" and enter the number you have with dashes. Hit Submit. You will get some information (i.e. city and state, name the number belongs to, etc. By being wary of any area codes you are not totally familiar with you can avoid this exclamation, "My phone bill is HOW much!?"

LOCAL CANADIAN TELEPHONE SCAM

FYI - Watch out and be leery!

I received a telephone call last evening from an individual identifying himself as a local phone serviceman who was conducting a test on the telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine (9), zero (0), the pound sign (#), and then hang up.

Luckily, I was suspicious and refused. Thinking about this strange request I decided to contact the telephone company for our region of Canada. I was informed that by pushing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number. I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons

DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE! The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW.

After checking with the phone company they said it was true, so do not dial 90# for anyone!!!!! PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. ASAP**

**Being this code is listed in Canada check with your local American company to see if they have the same or similar code for open access.

PRINT THIS OUT. DISTRIBUTE AT WORK, LIBRARIES - ANYWHERE PEOPLE WILL SEE IT.