again - another email received... not sure how accurate this is...

>>Subject: DON'T EVER 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 US and CANADA. This is
>> a pretty scary scam, especially given the way they get you
>>to call. Be sure you read this and pass it on to all online
>>friends and family so they don't get scammed!
>>
>>MAJOR SCAM:
>>Don't respond to Emails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you
>>to call an "809" area Phone Number.
>>
>>This is a very important issue of Scam Busters because it alerts
>>you to a scam that is spreading *extremely* quickly. This scam can
>>easily cost you $2400 or more, and is difficult to avoid unless you
>>are aware of it.
>>
>>We'd like to thank the companies BELL CANADA and VERIZON for
>>bringing this scam to our attention. This scam has also been
>>identified by the National Fraud Information Center and is costing
>>victims a lot of money. There are lots of different permutations
>>of this scam.
>>
>>HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:
>>You will receive a message on your <wmfiltered://> answering
>>machine or pager, asking you to call back a number beginning with
>>area code 809. The reason you're asked to call varies. It can be
>>to receive information about a family member who has been ill, 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 USA or CANADA, you ' ll 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 and you have to pay the bill :
>>The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands (The
>>Bahamas). The 809 area code can be used as a "pay-per-call"
>>number, similar to 900 and 866 numbers in the US or Canada.
>>Since 809 is not in the US or CANADA, it is not covered by
>>CANADIAN or U.S. regulations of 900 numbers, which require that you
>>be notified and warned of charges and rates involved when you call
>>a pay-per-call" number. There is also no requirement that the
>>company provide a time period during which you may terminate the
>>call without being charged. Further, whereas many CANADIAN or
>>U.S. homes have 900 number blocking to avoid these kinds of charge,
>>it will not work to prevent calls on the 809 area code. We
>>recommend that no matter how you get the message, if you are asked
>>to call a number with an 809 area code that you don't recognize,
>>just disregard the message and call your local police department to
>>alert them that the scam is in your area. Be wary of e-mails, or
>>phone calls, asking you to call an 809 area code number. It's
>>important to prevent becoming a victim of this scam, since trying
>>to fight the charges afterwards can become a real nightmare.
>>That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain
>>and try to fight the charges, 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