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Author Topic: Venality knows no bounds
bliter
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14536

posted 24 September 2007 08:16 PM      Profile for bliter   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I found the following (received in an email today) extremely difficult to believe and, though I doubt many Babblers would get sucked in by it, felt it worth passing along:

copy:

quote:
Subject: Area code 809 Please read!!!


> 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 didn't respond".
>
> Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
>
> Subject: DONT DIAL AREA CODE 809 , 284 AND 876
>
> THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T. DON'T 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 US , 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.
> Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, you'll often be charged
> more than $24,100.00.
>
> WHY IT WORKS:
>
> The 809 area code is located in theBritish Virgin Islands (The
> Bahamas). the dominican actually
> 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.
>
> Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and
> colleagues to help them become aware of this scam
>
> Sandi Van Handel
> AT&T Field Service Manager
> (920)687-904


Karen Is not an uncommon name, and if one had relations or friends away on holiday, for instance, there's a great possibility that one would make the call.

On getting the bill, my response would be to invite the scam artists to get stuffed. I can't see any court upholding such a scam.


From: delta | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged
rasmus
malcontent
Babbler # 621

posted 24 September 2007 08:58 PM      Profile for rasmus   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Snopes says...

Claim:   Unsuspecting phone customers have been gulled by scam artists into placing calls to area codes in the Caribbean that result in hefty charges.



Status:   Real fraud, but its usage is rare and most victims are taken for only a small amount of money.


From: Fortune favours the bold | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged

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