809 TELEPHONE SCAM ... AT&T SAYS IT IS TRUE
From time to time, we've all may have seen a circulated email warning us not to place a call to area code 809. Most of us may have scoffed this off as just another internet email ploy. I know that I have. However .. it is true.
AT&T has posted a fraud protection notice on their website which you may view --
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045
Be cautious of messages on your telephone or telephone numbers on your caller ID that use area codes 809, 284 and 876 because a return call to these area codes have been known to result in a ridiculous per minute fee, sometimes as high as $2000 per minute to hear a lengthy recorded message that pumps up the billable rate. Since these area codes emanate from the British Virgin Islands, there appears to be little that can be done to remove the charges from your phone bill.
This scam has also been confirmed by Snopes, which you can google to read.
If I didn't see it on AT&T's website, I might not trust what I read on Snopes which site often goes head to head against info posted on the Truth Or Fiction site -- however, AT&T has devoted a page on their corporate website with tips on how to avoid this telephone scam.
Bottom line here --- be informed - knowledge is power.
Many blessings for a successfully happy new year.
Bee
Dolphyn Wisdom of the Ancients