Caution..... A note from George Lanthier

Mark Eatherton

New Area Code - PLEASE READ Be sure you read this and pass it on. I checked it out with AT&T and Snopes - it's true.



809 Area Code

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 did not 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 :<a href="http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045">http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045</a>



SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE: <a href="http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809..asp">http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809..asp</a>

HDE_2

AT&T Says:

"Periodically, e-mails warning of a scam involving calls from the 809 area code circulate. The e-mails contend that there has been fraud associated with unscrupulous pay-per-call operators in that area code. However, the message contains some misinformation, especially the highly exaggerated cost of a phone call to the 809 area code, which is a legitimate area code for the Dominican Republic. Fortunately, this scam is less prevalent in recent years as a result of work done by AT&T to eliminate access to fraudulent pay-per-call operators."

Patchogue Phil_2

snopes link fixed

Your Snopes link is in error



Here's he correct link:   http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp