The "809" Area Code Telephone scam works basically like this:

You get home and notice that the message light is blinking on your answering machine. You listen to the message, which has several wrinkles, but the best one is the caller asks you to call a number beginning with area code 809 to receive information about a family member who has been ill. (They may also tell you someone has been arrested, died, you have won a wonderful prize, etc.)

In any event, concerned or curious, you make the call. Sometimes the phone will be answered by a person who claims to speak broken English. (The idea is to keep you on the line to build up charges.) Or, sometimes you will just get a long recorded message. The bottom line is, when your phone bill comes, you see this incredible charge, often times more than $100.00 dollars!

Crooks are using the 809 numbers as "pay-per-calls" and to get around the US Regulations and 900 number blocking. Every time you call the number, they get a greatly inflated rebate from the foreign phone company. Since the 809 numbers are in the Caribbean, they aren't bound by US 900# regulations that require them to warn you of the charge and rate involved, and also to provide a time period during which you may terminate the call without being charged.

The newest twist to this scam is to page people using the 809 numbers. With the new area code changes, people unknowingly are returning these calls. When the bill comes, there are HUGE charges for the calls.

Another suggestion is 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, DON'T RETURN THE CALL! It's bad enough that the criminal is invading your privacy, don't let them invade your wallet as well!

Scams of this type are extremely hard to prosecute and since you did actually make the call, neither your local phone company or your long distance carrier will want to get involved. They'll tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You end up trying to deal (over the phone) with a foreign company that feels they have done no wrong. It can turn into a real nightmare!

The "809" scam has many permutations but they all involve a message to you (either by email, phone or pager) that you immediately call or fax a number in the "809" area code or some other area code in the Caribbean. Examples of why you should call or fax the phone number include avoiding litigation, receiving information about someone who has been arrested or died, winning a wonderful prize, or getting a job.

The "809" area code is in the Caribbean, yet most people are not aware that they are making an international call when they dial the "809" area code, since you simply dial 1-809-xxx-xxxx to make the call. No international codes are required.

The problem comes from the fact that some phone numbers in the "809" area code are "pay-per-call" numbers (such as 900 numbers in the US) - but there are no legal requirements that callers be informed that they are being charged extra in the Caribbean. When you return one of these "pay-per-call" 809 calls, the scamsters try to keep you on the phone as long as possible, and you may be charged very high rates for the call, reportedly up to $25 per minute.

It is difficult to get credit for these charges if you do get scammed since you did make the call, and resolving the problem involves getting credit from international phone companies.

Since there are now many area codes in the Caribbean, this scam is no longer confined to just the 809 area code.

CONSUMERS INFORMATION FOR FILING COMPLAINTS

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has become aware of a long distance phone scam that may lead consumers to inadvertently ring up high charges on their phone bills.

The Scam Works Something Like This

• You get an e-mail, voicemail or page telling you to call a phone number with an 809, 284, or 876 (or some other three-digit) area code to collect a prize, find out about a sick relative, engage in sex talk, etc.

• You assume you are making a domestic long distance call - as "809", "284", and "876" (and other three-digit area codes involved in this scam) appear to be typical three-digit U.S. area codes.

• When you dial the "809", "284" or "876" (or other three-digit) area code plus the number, however, you're actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and charged international call rates. (In this case, 809 goes to the Dominican Republic, 284 goes to the British Virgin Islands, and 876 goes to Jamaica.)

• You don't find out about the higher international call rates until you receive your phone bill.

To Minimize the Risk of This Happening to You

• Check any area codes before returning calls.

• If you do not otherwise make international calls, ask your local phone company to block outgoing international calls on your line.

Filing a Complaint with the FCC

There is no charge to file an informal complaint with the FCC. Your letter should include your name, address, telephone number or numbers involved with your complaint, a telephone number where you can be reached during the business day, and the name of your long distance carrier. Your complaint letter should also provide as much specific information as possible, such as:

• an explanation of the circumstances that led to your complaint; " the names of all telephone or other companies involved with your complaint;

• the names and telephone numbers of the telephone company employees that you talked to in an effort to resolve your complaint;

• he dates that you talked with these employees; and

• any other information that would help the FCC to process your complaint.

Your local telephone company also often has records that are essential to the processing of your complaint.

You should mail your complaint to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.

Filing a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC is revising its regulations to give consumers more rights when they are victims of international phone call scams. Among other things, the rules will require that calling costs be disclosed to the consumer before his/her call is connected.

Callers may submit their complaints, in writing, to the FTC. The FTC does not typically investigate or resolve specific complaints, but they look for trends or patterns when an issue appears to warrant action. FTC complaints should be mailed to:

Consumer Response Center
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20580

FTC toll-free number: 1-877-382-4357 FTC