Dear Leonard: Don’t Return 809 Calls!

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Dear Leonard: Don’t Return 809 Calls!

I received a message on my answering machine saying that a relative was ill. The caller didn’t say which relative, but asked me to call an 809 number immediately. I didn’t recognize the area code and assumed this was an out-of-town call. I was concerned so I followed the caller’s instructions. I received a recorded message to “please hold the line.” Then I heard soft music and I waited. I repeated “hello” “hello” to dead air. Then a voice came on the line and said “your party will be with you shortly.” More minutes passed and more dead air. With no one to talk to I finally hung up. When I received my phone bill, I was charged $76.50 for this one call to that 809 number. I called my phone company and learned that 809 is the area code for the Dominican Republic. Have you heard about this phone ploy?—DVL, Arlington, VA

Dear DVL,
Yes indeed. AT & T, Verizon, Southern Bell and all the other major phone companies are doing everything possible to alert their customers. Here’s how it works. A person gets a message either when they pick up the phone or on their answering machine that they can receive information about a member of their family. The message may say their relative is ill, has been arrested, died or, won a super prize. In each case you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many area codes, you never suspect the 809 area code is a foreign country exchange or that it is a “pay per call” number.

A call from the U.S. to the 809 area code can be as high as $24.50 per minute. The object is to keep you on the phone as long as possible via recorded messages telling you to “hold on” and pleasant music. The longer you are on the phone, the greater your charges. The 809 code and other codes are similar to our 900 numbers. The con artist pockets the money made from your phone call. U.S. regulations govern 900 number calls. You must be notified and warned of charges and the rates involved. Since 809 is not a U.S. area code, however, you are thus not protected.

Also be alert to e-mail messages requesting you to return a call to an 809 area code. Bottom Line: Don’t ever respond to messages asking you to call an 809 number. Trying to fight the high phone charges is a “nightmare” because you made the call. Your local phone company and your long distance carrier will tell you that they simply provide the billing for the foreign company.

Leonard Burchman is president of Voice of the Elderly (VOTE), a private, non-profit organization that works to protect seniors from scams. If you have a question about a suspected scam send it to: The Social Security & Medicare Advisor, 4688 Spotswood Trail, Barboursville, VA 22923-8909. Please DO NOT send Social Security numbers or Medicare Explanation of Benefit Statements.

September 2003