The Better Business Bureau of the Heartland is flying the warning flag about a potentially costly phone scam. Don't dial the area code 809. Doing so could easily cost you $2,400 or more.
The scam is costing victims a lot of money and it's very difficult to avoid unless consumers are aware of what's happening.
There are many different angles to this scam but here is how it essentially works: You receive a message on your answering machine or your pager asking you to call a number beginning with area code 809. The reason youﾴre asked to call varies. It can be to receive information about a family member who is ill, to tell you someone has been arrested, that someone has died or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize. In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes, people unknowingly return these calls.
If you call from the U.S., you will be charged $2,425 per minute! Also, you might get a long recorded message that is designed to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, youﾴll often be charged more than $24,100.
This scam works because the 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands, The Bahamas. The 809 area code can be used as a ﾓpay-per-callﾔ number, similar to 900 numbers in the United States. Since 809 is not in the U.S., it is not covered by the same U.S. regulations that apply to 900 numbers which require that you be notified and warned of charges and rates involved when you call a ﾓpay-per-callﾔ number. There is also no requirement that the company provide a time period during which you may terminate the call without being charged. Further, even if you have 900 blocking to avoid these kinds of charges, the block does not work in preventing calls to the 809 area code.
The Better Business Bureau of the Heartland advises that no matter how you get the message or how urgent the message is, if you are asked to call a number with an 809 area code that you do not recognize, just disregard the message. If you still wish to check on the wellbeing of a friend or family member, call them directly or try to get information from another person. Remember, the people operating the scam intentionally leave urgent messages to catch you off-guard.
Additionally, disregard email that asks you to call an 809 area code number. Itﾴs important to prevent becoming a victim of this scam, since trying to fight the charges afterwards can become a real nightmare. That is 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 probably tell you that they are just providing the billing for this foreign company. You will end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.
The scam operators know exactly how to trick their victims and have been known to use other area codes too, such as 284 and 876. The BBB warns you to be aware and be alert. Never return a call or an email asking you to call an unfamiliar person or area code.
NBC News
