Telephony Scam

burntfish

Senior member
Jun 28, 2006
267
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0
got this email from a friend who works in telecom. wanna give you guys a warning before some crap happens


Subject: DON'T EVER 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 US, 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 lon g 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 deal ing 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

Sandi Van Handel
AT&T Field Service Manager
(920)687-****
 

Sphexi

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2005
7,280
0
0
Your friend must be pretty dumb, spreading around that sort of crap.


On the other hand, people will believe almost anything these days. The local radio station lets you call a special number and record a quick message, and if yours is selected they play it on the air, kind of like a radio classifieds thing. I heard one by this guy saying he was scammed by someone who called him, told him he had been approved for a big loan, but needed $1700 to "secure" it. He sent the guy the money, and never heard back from them.

DUH.