LAKE COUNTY – AT&T telephone service recently issued a warning to customers regarding a long distance phone scam that could cost victims a substantial amount of money. Customers are advised to use caution when responding to e-mails and phone calls from the 809, 284 and 876 area codes.
An e-mail is currently circulating informing recipients of the scam. The e-mail states that calls from the United States to the 809 area code, which is the Dominican Republic, are charged at $2,425 per minute. However, according to AT&T, although the effort is recognized as a scam the cost associated with the calls is highly exaggerated.
Long distance phone scams cause consumers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills. Often consumers will receive a message from the 809, 284 or 876 area code requesting response in order to collect a prize or find out information about a sick relative, etc. One call recipient reportedly received a call that sounded like a friend calling with important information to relay.
Victims of the scam may assume that the number is a typical three-digit US area code; however, the caller is actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean and subsequently charged international call rates.
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the 284 area code is designated for the British Virgin Islands and 876 area code goes to Jamaica. Consumers will not realize that they have been victimized until they receive their monthly bills.
To avoid becoming a victim AT&T advises consumers to only return calls to familiar numbers. Consumers may call their directory assistance or long distance operator to check the area code location. Consumers should also read their telephone bills carefully and make sure that they only receive charges from their selected provider.
People who think they may be the victim of one of these long distance phone scams should contact the carrier with whom the charge originated. The name and the toll-free telephone number should be printed on the same bill page as the charge in question. According to AT&T, the problem can often be resolved with a single phone call.
If the carrier does not agree to resolve the problem, contact AT&T.
Complaints can be filed online with the FCC using a form found at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. Complaints can also be filed with the FCC”s Consumer Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (225-5322), TTY 1-888-835-5322; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to Federal Communications Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Inquiries and Complaint Division, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
