Outline:
Circulating messages warn that consumers are being tricked into dialling international telephone numbers and thereby incurring enormous call charges of thousands of dollars per minute.
Brief Analysis:
International call scams are real. However, the information about these scams in the messages is inaccurate and misleading. The messages substantially exaggerate the potential costs to victims. The information was not issued by AT&T as suggested in some versions of the warning.
Update:
In early 2014, a UK based version of this warning message began circulating. For more information about the UK version, see:
HOAX – ‘Calls to 0809 Area Code from UK will be Charged at £1500 Per Minute’
Example:
Subject: New Area Code – PLEASE READ and be sure you pass it on.
0809 Area Code
We actually received a call last week from the0809 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 with0809. We did not respond. Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
Do not dial Area Codes 0809, 0284, and 0876 from the UK, U.S, Australia or Canada ……
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. 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 0809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.
If you call from the UK, U.S, Australia or Canada, you will apparently be charged a minimum of
$2425 per minute. And you’ll also 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 0809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic …….
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.
Original Source : https://www.hoax-slayer.com/area-code-809-scam.html