TRI-STATE (WFIE) -
A 14 News alert on a phone scam.
The Morganfield Police Department tells 14 News they've been receiving numerous complaints of scamming phone calls.
A detective with the department did some research into the scams and was able to provide this important information from AT&T for all to use.
This is very important information provided by AT&T. Don't ever dial area code 809, 284, or 876.
Don't respond to emails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you to call an 809, 284, 876 phone numbers. This is a very important issue of ScamBusters because it alerts you to a scam that is spreading extremely quickly can easily cost you $2,400 or more, and is difficult to avoid unless you are aware of it. This scam has also been identified by the National Fraud Information Center and is costing victims a lot of money.
How it works:
You will receive a message on your answering machine, which asks you to call a number beginning with area code 809. The reason you are 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 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. You'll get a long recorded message to keep you on the phone as long as possible. When you get your bill, you'll often be charged more than $24,100.
Why it works:
The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands. 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 US 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. The 284 and 876 area codes area also located in the Caribbean.
There is also no requirement that the company provide a time periods during which you may terminate the call without being charged. Further, where as many US. homes that have 900 number blocking to avoid these kinds of charges, do not work in preventing calls to the 809, 284, 876 area codes.
We recommend that no matter how you get the message, if you are asked to call a number with 809, 284, 876 area codes that you don't recognize just disregard the message. It's important to prevent becoming a victim of these calls, 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.
AT&T recommends the following tips to help avoid the 809 area code scam:
- Return calls to familiar numbers only. As a general rule, returns calls from numbers that contain familiar or recognizable area codes. You may call your directory assistance or long distance operator to check the area code location.
- Carefully read your telephone bill. Make sure that you only receive charges from your provider of choice.
If you believe that you have been scammed:
- Contact the carrier with whom the charge originated, whose name and toll-free telephone number should be printed on the same bill page as the charge in question. Often, the problem can be resolved with a single phone call.
- If the carrier with whom the charge originated does not agree to resolve the problem, contact AT&T. AT&T will work with you and the carrier to help remove fraudulent charges from the phone bill.
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