Subject: COSTLY NEW AREA CODE (very important) Be sure you read this and pass it...
809 Area Code
We actually received a call last week from the 809 area code. The woman said 'Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed you- get back to us quickly. I have something important to tell you.' Then she repeated a phone number beginning with 809. We did not respond. Then this week, we received the following e-mail:

Do Not DIAL AREA CODE809, 284, AND 876 from the U.S. or Canada .

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 ... This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call.

Be sure you read this and pass it on.

They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or 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 809number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.

If you call from the U.S. or Canada , you will apparently be charged a minimum of
$2425 per-minute.

And you'll also 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.
WHY IT WORKS:

The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic .
The charges afterward can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain, 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.

AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE :
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045

SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE:
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp

Please read the snopes report on this...it's only partially true and snopes explains it.

Not only that which, the scam/hoax is 11 years old, for Pete's sake!

Jan in VA

The scamers are out there! I answered one meant for my mom. The guy tried to make it sound official like he was from Social Security and he needed to verify my mom's SS number. He kept asking to talk to my mom but since I was POA I kept saying he couldn't(which happened to be true since she was in the nursing home but didn't tell him that!)but would have to talk to me. Called telephone company after and they said they've heard of lots of scamers "targeting" older people, lots of times scaring them by telling them their grandchild in in the hospital or in jail far from home and they, the grandchildren, need money. Many just go and send money without checking 'cause they're afraid for their grandchild. I pray everyone here is spared from them!

A friend of mine recently had this happen to her Mom. Her Mom sent $2000 to her "Grandson" in Canada so he didn't have to go to jail. The "Grandson" pleaded with Gramma not to tell "Dad"! Once the son foudn out, they went to police, but nothing could be done at that point.