WHAT IT IS:

• This is a 'Pay per call' scam and the 809 area code allow the crooks to circumvent the U.S. Regulations and the 900 number blocking system. Every time you call the number you get a greatly inflated charge from the foreign phone company. The origins of the 809 numbers are in the Caribbean and they are not bound by U.S. Regulations requiring warnings about the charge of the rates involved per call.

HOW IT WORKS:

• You arrive home to a message on your answering machine asking you to call a number beginning with area code 809 to receive information about a family member who has been ill, arrested, died, or prizes you have won etc. When you return the call the person fakes an accent, or claims to speak broken English (thereby keeping you on the phone long enough to build up charges). The bottom line is when your phone bill comes, you see an incredible charge, often over $100.00

  The newest twist in the scam is to page people using the 809 area code numbers, or to call a small business with an 800 number, stating your number has appeared on their credit card bill and wanting to know why you charged them $20.00. With the new area code changes people are unknowingly returning these calls.

ACTION REQUIRED:

• No matter how you get the call... IGNORE THEM, unless you recognize the 809 area code number. This type of scam is extremely hard to prosecute and since you actually place the return call, neither local or long-distance carriers will want to get involved.