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Do not dial these area codes

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Jim Braun Sun City Grand Az SA628685000

Sun City Grand Surprise AzDO not dial these area codes:

New Area Code - PLEASE READ... Be sure you pass it on.

809 Area Code 
These people will call and leave a message to call an  809 area code number. The person will say, this is XYZ. Sorry I missed you- get back to us quickly. I have something important to tell you.' Then they repeat a phone number beginning with 809. DO NOT RESPOND.

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 U.S. This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call.

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

SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:  http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp

 

Comments (8)

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Jim,

Thanks for this valuable bit (actually huge bit of information).  I have made a note of this, and will be sure to check the codes.  All the best, and wishing you continued success.

Sep 26, 2010 10:06 AM
Surprise Arizona Realtor Jim Braun Sun City Grand Active Adult Communities
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Jim Braun Sun City Grand Az - Surprise, AZ
Surprise AZ real estate Phoenix West Valley

It is amazing the ways these predators can make a dime. I will do my part to try to stop them.

Sep 26, 2010 10:10 AM
Jean Hanley
Coldwell Banker Kivett Teeters - Hemet, CA
Specializing in Folks Who Want To Buy/Sell Homes

Wow Jim, thanks for the heads up.  You know, it is getting really pathetic, that we have to deal with these low-life, waste of skin, deadbeat, dumbass scammers.  Whew!  I feel much better.  lol  Thanks again.

Sep 26, 2010 10:15 AM
Surprise Arizona Realtor Jim Braun Sun City Grand Active Adult Communities
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Jim Braun Sun City Grand Az - Surprise, AZ
Surprise AZ real estate Phoenix West Valley

Jean: Sometimes we do feel better when we vent. Good job venting. I know it helps my mindset when I let it out.

Sep 26, 2010 10:19 AM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Jim~  If these people would just put in a honest day of work, we would all be so much better off!  Thanks for the warning.  Hope I can remember those area codes so that I never call them.  Note to self: NEVER call 809 or 284 or 876!!

Sep 26, 2010 10:22 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Snopes doesn't quite agree that this is all entirely true... it's a mixture of true and false.

Read at snopes... http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp

and the snopes link that YOU provided took me here:

 

 

 

 

and your AT&T link took me here:

 

 

 

 

 

Note that it says "THE MESSAGE CONTAINS SOME MISINFORMATION"... and goes on to say that the highly exaggerated rate is incorrect, and the scam is less prevalent.

Always check with snopes... but please, please, always check your own links, before forwarding this type of e-mail.

Clearly this is frightening, and somewhat incorrect.

Sep 26, 2010 10:39 AM
Surprise Arizona Realtor Jim Braun Sun City Grand Active Adult Communities
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Jim Braun Sun City Grand Az - Surprise, AZ
Surprise AZ real estate Phoenix West Valley

Alan: I had an extra . in the link. I corrected. If you read this both closely. it does say these numbers do have some scams connected. It looks to me like AT&T is in the CYA mode. If these companies are just the billing company they won't take it off your bill. The main thing to understand about this warning is whether it is 25.00 or 2500.00 I don't want to be paying this bill or fighting it. So just beware if someone calls and asks you to call them back right away.

Sep 26, 2010 11:33 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

jim - they do say that there have been some scams involved... but the post, the way it was, is incorrect and somewhat inflammatory.  I agree that I don't want to pay $25, if I don't really owe it... but it's important that we disseminate truthful information, not inflammatory posts, don't you agree?

Sep 26, 2010 12:00 PM