Beware of 809, 284 Or 876 Area Code Scams
Periodically, long distance phone scam causes consumers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills. Consumers usually receive a message telling them to call a phone number with an 809, 284 or 876 area code in order to collect a prize, find out information about a sick relative, or some other important information. The caller assumes the number is a typical three-digit U.S. area code; however, the caller is actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and charged international call rates. Unfortunately, consumers don't find out that they have been charged higher international call rates until they receive their bill. As such, consumers should not dial area codes 809, 284 or 876, unless they are dialing a phone number they know will connect them to someone they know.
Indeed, since there are so many new area codes these days, consumers unknowingly fall for this scam. There are reports on the Internet that if you call from the U.S., you may be charged as much as $100 per-minute. Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, the scammers will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. And it may be difficult to have the charges removed from your telephone bill because you did actually make the call.
AT&T, for example, offers the following information and tips to consumers:
1. Return calls to familiar numbers only. As a general rule, return calls from numbers that contain familiar or recognizable area codes. You may call your directory assistance or long distance operator to check the area code location; and
2. Carefully read your telephone bill. Make sure that you only receive charges from your provider of choice. Ensure you thoroughly understand charges listed on your phone bill, have chosen to do business with all of the listed providers billing for those charges and have authorized additional fees invoiced.
If you believe that you have been scammed contact the carrier with whom the charge originated as sometimes the problem can be resolved with a phone call to the telephone company. You may also file a complaint online with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) about this and/or related phone scams.
If you have been scammed into dialing a phone number with an 809, 284 or 976 area code and your carrier refuses to remove the charges, or if you know who is behind the scam, please contact us to discuss your legal options.