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 .
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 thes calls.
If you call from the U.S. , you will apparently be charged $2425 per-minute.
You'll get a long recorded message. they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to incease
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 loca l 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.
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid`45<http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid`45>;
SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:
http://www.snopescom/fraud/telephone/809.asp<http://www.snopescom/fraud/telephone/809.asp>

thanks for this info.

i believe that if it really happens that a friend or a family member is sick or injured somewhere on the planet, it is from a well identified police officer or health care professional (name, organization name & place, telephone number) that the call will come from... and they will give you the name of your friend who's in trouble, and will tell you where they are...

i,m a little paranoid... have call display... i never answer the phone if i don't know the caller and i never return calls that are suspicious (especially the ones that sound like automated messages) and i never return a long distance call if i have to pay for the call, unless there is a very well justified and well identified reason for it...

i had my phone company block '900' calls (because i had a room-mate for a few months, a few years ago) and before returning '8**' calls, i always check with my phone company to make sure they are official free calls

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreaking

Quote:

Phreaking is a slang term coined to describe the activity of a subculture of people who study, experiment with, or explore telecommunication systems, like equipment and systems connected to public telephone networks. As telephone networks have become computerized, Phreaking has become closely linked with computer hacking.[1] This is sometimes called the H/P culture (with H standing for Hacking and P standing for Phreaking). The term "phreak" is a portmanteau of the words "phone" and "freak", and may also refer to the use of various audio frequencies to manipulate a phone system. "Phreak", "phreaker", or "phone phreak" are names used for and by individuals who participate in phreaking.

Here is what snopes said about that email...http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp

(thanks moi...)

Alffe -your att link didn't work for me - It looks like it might be doubled up...

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045

a few other sources-
[Type: Scams and Shams

Description:

This email, which is made to appear to have been sent out by AT&T, purports that a scam is being perpetrated by certain phone companies through the long distance code 809. It alleges that dialing this long distance number can leave callers with unexpectedly huge bills. It explains that the code dials to the Bahamas and does not operate under US regulations.

The code 809, which allegedly dials to the British Virgin Islands, actually belongs to the Dominican Republic.

While AT&T denies ever sending out this email, the scam it describes is apparently true, leading AT&T to issue the following statement regarding the 809 Area Code Urban Legend.

If you receive such an email, keep in mind that while the modus operandi described does indeed take place, you should also be aware of the following:

* Not all phone numbers with 809 in the area code is part of this scam; most 809 numbers are legitimate, ordinary numbers.
* This scam has been used with area codes aside from 809.
* It is not, in fact, $2400 per minute; the figures involved with this scam have been greatly exaggerated over the years.
* The average US consumer is unlikely to encounter the scam itself.]
http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoax...+Code+809+Hoax

[ * "809" - Dominican Republic.
* "284" - British Virgin Islands.
* "876" - Jamaica.
* Canada

Scammers in these area can make money two ways:

1.

Consumers are tricked into dialing these international phone numbers, which would result in substantial long-distance charges. That is possible because there a few regions outside the U.S., which includes the Caribbean and Canada, that can be dialed directly without the usual "011" international prefix.
2.

The phone numbers appear to be in the United States, but of course, the same laws don't apply. This makes these areas ideal for scammers who which to target U.S. citizens.

And since these numbers are outside the United States, the U.S. requirement to inform callers in advance of any special rates or fees doesn't apply. Scammers typically trick victims into dialing the numbers by leaving a message that claims that a relative has been injured or arrested, an unpaid account must be settled, or a cash prize can be claimed, etc. When the victim returns the call, they are kept on the line for as long as possible to run up additional charges. The bill for such a call can be substantial (though not nearly as high as $2,400 per minute claimed in the email).

AT&T advises that consumers always check the location of unfamiliar area codes before dialing. This can be done by visiting www.consumer.att.com or simply Googling the area code (e.g., area code 809) and viewing the top result. ]
http://www.consumerfraudreporting.or...aCodeScams.php

thanks Jo...first link said it was undermaintenence and the second link didn't work at all.....that's way moi sent me the correct snopes. *grin