8. Telephone Scam Alert

DON’T EVER DIAL AREA CODES 809, 284, and 876.
According to industry experts, telephone fraud costs an estimated $4 billion each year. Communications become more high-tech, and people of all ages, income, education levels and lifestyles can be taken in by crafty crooks. So…
ALL CONSUMERS SHOULD BE WARY!

Call Forwarding Scam
You may receive an automated message on your telephone that says you have won a prize or money, or a family member has been ill. The message directs you to dial a 2-digit code preceded or followed by the * or # key (such as * 79 or 72 # ), and then an 800 number to make the call back. If you dial the number, you are not connected to anyone. What this has done, is programmed your telephone to forward your calls to a long distance operator. Con artists can then call your number, be forwarded to the long-distance operator and place calls that are billed to your home telephone number.

Placing International Calls Without Realizing It
It’s not always easy to tell if you’re dialing an international telephone number. In most cases, you have to dial “011” to begin a call to a foreign country. But there are locations outside the U.S. whose telephone number may look like domestic long-distance calls, such as “809” or “284” or “876,”, but are actually international calls and international rates apply; example: $2,425.00 per minute.

DEFENSE TIPS:

Call Forwarding Scam:
If you receive “call forwarding scam calls, “simply hang up. If you receive this message on your answering machine, do not place this call.

International Calls:
Be cautious about area codes you don’t recognize. Call the operator to determine where the area code is before making your call.

Other things to watch for:

• Read your phone bill carefully each month.
• Watch for unfamiliar company names, logos or charges that you don’t understand or don’t remember ordering.
• Check your telephone bill periodically to make sure you still have the long-distance company you selected.