Telephone Scam

Kalista · 03-24-2004, 09:49 AM

Don't respond to Emails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you to call an "809" area 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 $2400 or more, and is diff icult 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 lots 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 US, 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
Bahamas). The 809 area code can be used as a "pay-per-call" number,
similar to 900 numbers in the US. Since 809 is not in the US, 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. homes that have 900 number blocking to avoid these
kinds of charges, do not work in preventing 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, just
disregard the message.

Be wary of e-mail, or calls, asking you to call an 809 area code number.
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.

Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam.

I got this email from security office at my work place.

Malfoyish · 03-24-2004, 11:29 AM

OMG...how horrible...$2,400.00 per minute!? Why, that would make Donald Trump himself go broke!!!

Malfoyish

***VamPyroX*** · 03-24-2004, 12:15 PM

I never call numbers that I don't recognize. If someone called me saying that there was a death in the family, I'd call my family's real phone number... not the number given to me.

Mistyrose · 03-24-2004, 01:31 PM

Thats right, Vamp! never call the number you are not familiar with..I have seen those strange numbers on my caller ID before in the past. We have what they call..Privacy manager..the privacy manager screens out calls and if they wont identify themselves then it wont go thru! You have to pay so much a month for that, but its worth it!! we used to have sooo many telemarketers, anonymous phone calls, etc..now since we got privacy manager, no more annoying calls now!! its blissfully nice especially for my hearing husband!! heh!

Kalista · 03-24-2004, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defee

Thats right, Vamp! never call the number you are not familiar with..I have seen those strange numbers on my caller ID before in the past. We have what they call..Privacy manager..the privacy manager screens out calls and if they wont identify themselves then it wont go thru! You have to pay so much a month for that, but its worth it!! we used to have sooo many telemarketers, anonymous phone calls, etc..now since we got privacy manager, no more annoying calls now!! its blissfully nice especially for my hearing husband!! heh!

My telephone is private, how did the telemarkets, anonymous phone calls has been harrassment to my children. Grrrrr ! I do not know how did they get my privacy telephone number.

We do have caller Id, it indicated that private blank name of person. How could you block from harrassment adverisit phone calls ?

Mistyrose · 03-24-2004, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabrina

My telephone is private, how did the telemarkets, anonymous phone calls has been harrassment to my children. Grrrrr ! I do not know how did they get my privacy telephone number.

We do have caller Id, it indicated that private blank name of person. How could you block from harrassment adverisit phone calls ?

Sabrina..I understand..my phone is private too but like i said, we have the option that you can get from AT&T or is it Southwest Bell? ha i forgot..its called Privacy Manager..you have to pay so much a month for that option.
When the privacy manager get our call, she/he screens the number and she asks for their identification and if they dont tell her, then she wont let that number ring on our phone! If you get a lot of annoying calls like telemarketers, anonymous phone calls then you need to check into "Privacy Manager" option. If you are really interested in this option, let me know and i i will find out at home where that privacy manager is and give you their phone number ok? Im at work so i dont have all the info here.

Malfoyish · 03-24-2004, 02:18 PM

Or you can do what we do - and let the machine pick up.

We do that when Mike's ex-wife calls. LOL. That's about as annoying as a telemarketer, too!!

Malfoyish

Mistyrose · 03-24-2004, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malfoyish

Or you can do what we do - and let the machine pick up.

We do that when Mike's ex-wife calls. LOL. That's about as annoying as a telemarketer, too!!

Malfoyish

Thats a good idea too..providing if you have answering machine..a lot of times they wont leave messages on answering mach. but like your hubby's ex calling, she could yap and bitch on it haha! ya know? ya still have to listen to that? yikes..lol!

Malfoyish · 03-24-2004, 02:29 PM

Hahahaha...ya know what the funny part to that is?? She's so damn predictable. I may be deaf, but I can still make out her words. I have her script memorized at this point. She'll say "Hello? HELLOOO?? Pick up the phone! Michael? Michael! MICHAEL, are you there???? Hello??" LOL.

I just push "delete." If it's important, she'll hunt him down later. LOL.

Malfoyish

Mistyrose · 03-24-2004, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malfoyish

Hahahaha...ya know what the funny part to that is?? She's so damn predictable. I may be deaf, but I can still make out her words. I have her script memorized at this point. She'll say "Hello? HELLOOO?? Pick up the phone! Michael? Michael! MICHAEL, are you there???? Hello??" LOL.

I just push "delete." If it's important, she'll hunt him down later. LOL.

Malfoyish

LOL! thats a good one! My husband's ex used to call all the time too about just nuthin..just bitchin..he used to hang up on her alot too LOL! One time tho..when she found out we stopped the child support payment cuz his boy turned 18 so no more child support payments and thats when all hell broke loose!! you shoulda heard all that horrible screechin, screamin cussin bitch when she called about that!!

(I heard her!) i was like

Angel · 03-24-2004, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malfoyish

Hahahaha...ya know what the funny part to that is?? She's so damn predictable. I may be deaf, but I can still make out her words. I have her script memorized at this point. She'll say "Hello? HELLOOO?? Pick up the phone! Michael? Michael! MICHAEL, are you there???? Hello??" LOL.

I just push "delete." If it's important, she'll hunt him down later. LOL.

Malfoyish

Malfoyish.....that's remind me of Roadrunner's ex wife...Boy, She is something!...

Mistyrose · 03-24-2004, 05:07 PM

Wonders..why all the ex wives are like that?? I was divorced but heck i didnt turn into a bitchin exwife to my ex husband! LOL! My hubby's ex wife was just horrible..she gave us hell for a year!! I finally came to conclusion that she could not handle that her exhusband got married again and she hated me too for no reason..... sheeesh!

Angel · 03-24-2004, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defee

Wonders..why all the ex wives are like that?? I was divorced but heck i didnt turn into a bitchin exwife to my ex husband! LOL!

Defee....Me either, When my divorce is over, I am not going to be like that .....that's not me....Ill be Thriller to leave my ex husband alone...

*Freeeeee*

Mistyrose · 03-24-2004, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ^Angel^

Defee....Me either, When my divorce is over, I am not going to be like that .....that's not me....Ill be Thriller to leave my ex husband alone...

*Freeeeee*

LOL!

I know that feeling! you will feel real good when your divorce is final!! just go and celebrate!!

Fly Free · 03-24-2004, 06:32 PM

yea ive known abt that fone scams

get urselves on the national "do not call" list -- i got my mom and grandma on that list and same for me and MizzDeaf here in Missouri -- that helps to reduce the stupid telemarketers

as for the ex's that keeps harrassing -- ive been down that road too with my ex gf who just simply doesnt know the meaning of "no" or "i dont want to see u anymore" -- she THINKS its ok to call at all hours!! my god!

at my ex lover!!!!!

Dennis · 03-24-2004, 07:03 PM

Hoax:

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/mobile.asp

However, the MOST YOU CAN BE CHARGED per minute appears to be £1.50.

horselover61 · 03-24-2004, 08:30 PM

Yea, I had a caller ID along with annoyancment caller rejection. Cuz my number is private and use to get alot of crazy calls all hour of the day. I hate it. Now it is peaceful.

I remmy my exh's exw was a bitching all the times. Boy it was crazy. Now I dont have to worry about it anymore. I aint gotta be bitchen to my exh as long as he pay the child support on time. That all.

Kalista · 03-25-2004, 07:39 AM

Defee

I currently am using Verizon local and long distance phone call. I never heard of Privacy Manger. I am curious about it.

Yeah, I know the phone bill is awful expensive right now because I have two line one is for phone and one is for internet. Plus Caller ID and Cell Phone for my son include text message via communication to my pager as emergency. It is very worth for me to contact him whereabout he goes. I was worried when he was not home real late. I paged her cell phone with my pager text message. The technogoly is awesome !!

I saw the TV adveristment last night about Spirit cell phone with picture like tiny T.V. We can sign through the phone cell. Spirit offer new technology for the Deaf people to use their phone cell to sign language in picture.

I wonder if it is much cheaper than wyndtell, agotel and sidekick. We can sign face to face on phone cell. Wow !!

Dennis · 03-27-2004, 01:53 AM

Spirit? Or Sprint? Spirit isn't a cellular phone system, Sprint (www.sprintpcs.com) is....

CatoCooper13 · 03-27-2004, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VamPyroX

I never call numbers that I don't recognize. If someone called me saying that there was a death in the family, I'd call my family's real phone number... not the number given to me.

Ditto here -- we have Caller's ID and whenever we don't recognise the number, we don't answer it unless they leave a message and it's geninue, then we'll return the call.

03-24-2004, 09:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kalista Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 7,470	Telephone Scam Don't respond to Emails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you to call an "809" area 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 $2400 or more, and is diff icult 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 lots 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 US, 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 Bahamas). The 809 area code can be used as a "pay-per-call" number, similar to 900 numbers in the US. Since 809 is not in the US, 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. homes that have 900 number blocking to avoid these kinds of charges, do not work in preventing 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, just disregard the message. Be wary of e-mail, or calls, asking you to call an 809 area code number. 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. Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam. I got this email from security office at my work place. __________________

03-24-2004, 12:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 27,844	I never call numbers that I don't recognize. If someone called me saying that there was a death in the family, I'd call my family's real phone number... not the number given to me. __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

03-24-2004, 01:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mistyrose Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NewYork/sometimes Okla Posts: 3,516	Thats right, Vamp! never call the number you are not familiar with..I have seen those strange numbers on my caller ID before in the past. We have what they call..Privacy manager..the privacy manager screens out calls and if they wont identify themselves then it wont go thru! You have to pay so much a month for that, but its worth it!! we used to have sooo many telemarketers, anonymous phone calls, etc..now since we got privacy manager, no more annoying calls now!! its blissfully nice especially for my hearing husband!! heh! __________________ Im not deaf, im just ignoring you!

03-24-2004, 05:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mistyrose Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NewYork/sometimes Okla Posts: 3,516	Wonders..why all the ex wives are like that?? I was divorced but heck i didnt turn into a bitchin exwife to my ex husband! LOL! My hubby's ex wife was just horrible..she gave us hell for a year!! I finally came to conclusion that she could not handle that her exhusband got married again and she hated me too for no reason..... sheeesh! __________________ Im not deaf, im just ignoring you!

03-25-2004, 07:39 AM	#18 (permalink)
Kalista Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 7,470	Defee I currently am using Verizon local and long distance phone call. I never heard of Privacy Manger. I am curious about it. Yeah, I know the phone bill is awful expensive right now because I have two line one is for phone and one is for internet. Plus Caller ID and Cell Phone for my son include text message via communication to my pager as emergency. It is very worth for me to contact him whereabout he goes. I was worried when he was not home real late. I paged her cell phone with my pager text message. The technogoly is awesome !! I saw the TV adveristment last night about Spirit cell phone with picture like tiny T.V. We can sign through the phone cell. Spirit offer new technology for the Deaf people to use their phone cell to sign language in picture. I wonder if it is much cheaper than wyndtell, agotel and sidekick. We can sign face to face on phone cell. Wow !! __________________

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

03-24-2004, 11:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Malfoyish Keepin' it real... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 2,656	OMG...how horrible...$2,400.00 per minute!? Why, that would make Donald Trump himself go broke!!! Malfoyish

03-24-2004, 02:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Malfoyish Keepin' it real... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 2,656	Or you can do what we do - and let the machine pick up. We do that when Mike's ex-wife calls. LOL. That's about as annoying as a telemarketer, too!! Malfoyish

03-24-2004, 02:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Malfoyish Keepin' it real... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 2,656	Hahahaha...ya know what the funny part to that is?? She's so damn predictable. I may be deaf, but I can still make out her words. I have her script memorized at this point. She'll say "Hello? HELLOOO?? Pick up the phone! Michael? Michael! MICHAEL, are you there???? Hello??" LOL. I just push "delete." If it's important, she'll hunt him down later. LOL. Malfoyish

03-24-2004, 06:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
Fly Free Just me Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Wherever i want to be LOL Posts: 9,101	yea ive known abt that fone scams get urselves on the national "do not call" list -- i got my mom and grandma on that list and same for me and MizzDeaf here in Missouri -- that helps to reduce the stupid telemarketers as for the ex's that keeps harrassing -- ive been down that road too with my ex gf who just simply doesnt know the meaning of "no" or "i dont want to see u anymore" -- she THINKS its ok to call at all hours!! my god! at my ex lover!!!!!

03-24-2004, 07:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
Dennis \/ It's a computer patch. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Death Star HQ Posts: 1,752	Hoax: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/mobile.asp However, the MOST YOU CAN BE CHARGED per minute appears to be £1.50.

03-24-2004, 08:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
horselover61 Neigh!!! Neigh!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 5,254 Blog Entries: 2	Yea, I had a caller ID along with annoyancment caller rejection. Cuz my number is private and use to get alot of crazy calls all hour of the day. I hate it. Now it is peaceful. I remmy my exh's exw was a bitching all the times. Boy it was crazy. Now I dont have to worry about it anymore. I aint gotta be bitchen to my exh as long as he pay the child support on time. That all.

03-27-2004, 01:53 AM	#19 (permalink)
Dennis \/ It's a computer patch. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Death Star HQ Posts: 1,752	Spirit? Or Sprint? Spirit isn't a cellular phone system, Sprint (www.sprintpcs.com) is....

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