>X-POP3-Rcpt: [log in to unmask] >Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 09:22:46 -0700 (PDT) >X-Sender: [log in to unmask] >To: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], > [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] >From: [log in to unmask] (George W. Eaton) >Subject: [Fwd: Internet ScamBusters #9] - 809 Scam Update > >>X-ListName: Discussion of Freemasonry issues >> <[log in to unmask]> >>Warnings-To: <> >>Errors-To: [log in to unmask] >>Sender: [log in to unmask] >>Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 00:27:06 -0400 >>From: A Freemason in Michigan <[log in to unmask]> >>Reply-To: A Freemason in Michigan <[log in to unmask]> >>Organization: Genesee Lodge No. 174 F. &. A. M. < >> http://ronb.rust.net/lodges/genesee-174/ > >>To: Freemasonry List <[log in to unmask]> >>Subject: [Fwd: Internet ScamBusters #9] - 809 Scam Update >> >>Brother et al.=20 >> >>Just thought I'd send this Up-Date on the 809 Scam. >> >>Spread the Word. >> >>Frat >>Kevin >> >> >> >>--=20 >> >>__________________________________________________________________ >>Kevin Francart < [log in to unmask] > >>Genesee Lodge No. 174 F. &. A. M. <Grand Lodge of Michigan> >>Visit our Web Page at http://ronb.rust.net/lodges/genesee-174/ >>Valley of Bay City A.A.S.R. (NMJ) >>Elf Khurafeh Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. (The Shriners) >>National Sojourners Detroit Chapter No. 1 >>Clan No. 55 (MI Pine Ticks) Grand & Glorious Order of Hillbilly Degree >>Flint, Michigan, USA >>Disclaimer: The Opinions Expressed are my own and DO NOT necessarily=20 >>represent he views of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the= =20 >>State of Michigan or any other Masonic Body or Individual Freemason. >>Received: from otter.mbay.net (otter.mbay.net [206.40.79.2]) by tir.com >(8.7.5/8.7) with ESMTP id UAA03267 for <[log in to unmask]>; Sat, 12 Oct >1996 20:31:39 -0400 (EDT) >>Received: from bay.wz.com (bay.wz.com [206.40.79.35]) by otter.mbay.net >(8.7.2/8.6.12) with SMTP id RAA27570; Sat, 12 Oct 1996 17:30:27 -0700 >>Received: by bay.wz.com with ADMIN;12 Oct 1996 17:29:16 -0700 >>Received: from [206.79.40.90] (yoda.zp.com [206.79.40.90]) by >otter.mbay.net (8.7.2/8.6.12) with SMTP id RAA27502 for ><[log in to unmask]>; Sat, 12 Oct 1996 17:28:58 -0700 >>Message-Id: <[log in to unmask]> >>Subject: Internet ScamBusters #9 >>Date: Sat, 12 Oct 96 17:28:33 -0700 >>From: <[log in to unmask]> >>To: <[log in to unmask]> >>Mime-Version: 1.0 > >>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=3D"iso-8859-1" >>X-UIDL: 75f6e0ead6683fc1acdc990a290b5799 >>X-Mozilla-Status: 0001 >> >>Internet ScamBusters >>- - exposing what really works and what doesn't - - >> >>By Audri and Jim Lanford, NETrageous Inc. >>Copyright =A9 1996 NETrageous Inc. >> >>Issue #9 October 12, 1996 >> >>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=3D >>More On The "809" SCAM: Internet ScamBusters Uncovers=20 >>Additional Serious Implications For The Infamous "809" Scam >>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=3D >> >>On Monday we sent out a Special Alert to notify subscribers of the >>"809" Scam. We've been doing a lot of research on this scam all >>week, and getting *a lot* of email. Last night we uncovered >>information which results in much broader implications of this scam >>than we've seen reported anywhere. So, we're sending out this >>additional issue of Internet ScamBusters to warn you about the new >>developments. >> >>Brief review: The "809" scam has many permutations but they all >>involve a message to you (either by email, phone or pager) that you >>immediately call a number in the "809" area code to avoid some bad >>consequence (such as litigation, or to receive information about >>someone who has been arrested or died) or to gain some good benefit >>(such as winning a wonderful prize). >> >>The "809" area code is in the Caribbean, yet most people are not >>aware that they are making an international call when they dial the >>"809" area code. "809" calls can be "pay-per-call" numbers (such as >>900 numbers in the US) - and there are no legal requirements that >>callers be informed that they are being charged extra. When you >>return a "pay-per-call" 809 call, they try to keep you on the phone >>as long as possible, and you are charged very high rates for the >>call, reportedly up to $25 per minute. >> >>New information: Until recently, the "809" area code covered the >>entire Caribbean. However, that's changed. There are now a series >>of new area codes for different countries in the Caribbean. That >>means there are now additional area codes which victims can >>unknowingly call with the same results as the original "809" scam.=20 >>The "268" area code is already reportedly being used by scam artists. >> And you can be sure that the scammers won't take long to start >>using these new codes in a big way. >> >>According to representatives at AT&T, here are the new area codes and >>their effective dates: >>Country Code Effective Date >>Bahamas 242 October 1, 1996 >>Barbados 246 July 1, 1996 >>Antigua 268 April 1, 1996 >>Cayman Islands 345 September 1, 1996 =20 >>Monsterrat 664 July 1, 1996 >>St. Lucia 758 July 1, 1996 >>Puerto Rico 787 March 1, 1996 >>St. Kitts/Nevis 869 October 1, 1996 >>Jamaica 876 October 1, 1996 (conflicting reports- >> may still be 809) >> >>Bermuda now has the area code of 441. >> >>A few more countries will be changing their area codes in 1997: >>N. Commonwealth >>of Mariana Is. 670 July 1, 1997 >>Trinidad & >>Dominica 767 October 1, 1997 >>Tobago 868 June 1, 1997 (however, this may have >> already have occurred according to AT&T) >> >>Several countries are keeping the 809 area code, such as the >>Dominican Republic, Grenada, Virgin Islands, Martinique, St. John >>(although St. John may change to 268), St. Thomas, and St. Vincent. >> >>(Please note: We spoke with three representatives at AT&T, and they >>all gave us slightly different information. For example, they varied >>on whether the effective date for Antigua's change was March 1 or >>April 1, 1996 and whether Jamaica has a new area code. However, our >>concern is with the major concepts rather than with the specific >>details.) >> >>And there's more. AT&T supplied us with a long list of >>"pay-per-call" numbers. The numbers on this list may include adult >>sex lines, resume lines, and other "pay-per-call" numbers. >> >>(Please note: this list does not include all of the "pay-per-call" >>numbers in the Caribbean - and there may be numbers included below >>that are not "pay-per-call" numbers. Our purpose here is to warn >>readers of the scope of this problem.) >> >>Antigua / St. John >>268-404-4000 to 404-6999 >>809-404-7411 >> >>Dominican Republic >>809-404-4000 to 404-6999 >>809-412-0785 to 412-0787 >>809-412-0960 to 412-0964 >>809-414-1000 to 414-1499 >>809-470-0000 to 414-1949 >>809-474-0001 to 474-9996 >>809-476-0105 to 476-0112 >>809-476-0131 to 476-0135 >>809-476-0314 to 476-0319 >>809-476-1001 to 476-1020 >>809-476-1200 to 476-1229 >>809-476-1350 to 476-1399 >>809-476-1400 to 476-1446 >>809-476-1600 to 476-1629 >>809-476-1765 to 476-1796 >>809-476-1930 to 476-1999 >>809-537-0300 to 537-0899 >>809-540-5000 to 540-5199 >>809-563-0000 to 563-0199 >>809-563-0300 to 563-0699 >>809-563-9000 to 563-9199 >>809-563-9300 to 563-9899 >> >>St. Vincent >>809-456-0000 to 456-9999 >>809-457-0000 to 457-9999 >>809-458-0000 to 458-9999 >>809-485-0000 to 485-9999 >>809-490-0000 to 490-9999 >>809-493-0000 to 493-9999 >> >>Summary: Be very careful returning phone numbers to area codes you >>don't recognize, especially when you receive calls, emails or pages >>with urgent messages that you call these numbers. Call your long >>distance phone company's operator to find out where the area code is >>located (or look it up on the net), and only call numbers that make >>sense to you. >> >>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >> >>Two additional "pay-per-call" number scams: >> >>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=3D+ >>SCAM: Some 800 numbers reportedly roll over to "809" and other >>foreign "pay-per-call" numbers with little or no warning. >>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >> >>A representative at AT&T warned us of a common scam she encounters.=20 >>Here's how it works: You see an ad on the Internet or in a newspaper >>for an overseas job opportunity as a "secret shopper" or a "mystery >>shopper." You call the listed 800 number to either learn more or to >>apply for the job. You are left on hold for 15 to 20 minutes. You >>are either warned that the call is being rolled over to a toll call, >>or you're not warned. However, even when people are warned, they >>don't realize that the roll over is to an international, >>"pay-per-call" number. When you are finally connected, you're told >>all the positions have been filled. When you receive your phone >>bill, you have a very large charge. >> >>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >>SCAM: "809" and other "pay-per-call" numbers can be used to cheat >>businesses who offer fax back services. >>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >> >>Thanks to Lee Jones, who alerted us to this scam: Many companies >>offer a computerized fax-back service where the company faxes >>requested documents to a phone number entered by the caller. The >>caller can get the fax-back service to call back their "pay-per-call" >>number. When the business calls this "pay-per-call" fax number to >>send the documents, they are charged the very inflated rates. You >>should consider protecting your business from this scam by blocking >>area codes such as those listed above. >> >>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >> >>An update on the Internet version on the 809 scam we described in the >>last issue of Internet ScamBusters: >> >>On October 8th, we looked up the domain name and ISP of "Global >>Communications," the company that had posted the "809" message we >>included in the last issue. We discovered that the domain name, >>demon.net, is owned by Demon Systems Limited, in London. We tried >>calling Demon many times, but their phone was always busy. We >>emailed them asking what they intended to do about this scam, but we >>received no reply (other than their automated response that they had >>received our email). >> >>We also searched the newsgroups to see whether they had posted any >>additional information. We found three relevant posts. Here is part >>of the response from Mike Whitaker, Duty Postmaster, Demon Internet >>Ltd., [log in to unmask]: >> >>---------------------------------------------------------- >>This message originates from one of our customers and is clearly a >>'scam' to persuade people to call the number listed. Demon take a >>very dim view of such behaviour, and appropriate action is being >>taken. >>---------------------------------------------------------- >> >>Demon Internet has closed "Global Communications" account and is >>considering further action. =20 >> >>You can be sure that "Global Communications" and other companies like >>them will be back soon with different names, phone numbers, email >>addresses and messages. Again, it's not the specifics of this scam >>that are important - it's watching out for the general principles. >> >>Incidentally, if you're curious, several people called the 809 phone >>number "Global Communications" posted to discover what actually >>happened when you called. Ryan J. Donmoyer, in MONEY Daily on >>October 9th, reports: >> >>"Callers to the number are led to believe they are talking to >>a live person, but in fact it is a clever recording that >>responds to the caller's voice. Among other things, an >>irate-sounding man with a British accent warns, 'Your >>check will come round or we'll come round to get it.' The >>recording seems designed to keep callers on the line as >>long as possible, and is reportedly billed at $25 per minute." >> >>Others reported that this "man" with a British accent kept telling >>them to hold on while he picked up other phone calls and supposedly >>yelled at his staff. He continued to yell at the callers as well, >>saying "send the money," and yelled into other ringing phones as long >>as the callers remained on the line. >> >> >>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >> >>Corrections and Clarifications to Issue #8 Of Internet ScamBusters: >> >>- According to our sources at AT&T, the number listed in the email >>(809 496 2700) is located in the Dominican Republic, not in the >>British Virgin Islands or the Bahamas as we reported. >> >>- We had a typo in the last issue that implied that the Bahamas and >>the British Virgin Islands were the same country - obviously, that's >>not true. (Thanks to Kathryn Morris for pointing this out.) >> >>- Finally, we hope it goes without saying that we do not view all >>Caribbean businesses as fraudulent. Obviously, most Caribbean >>businesses are honest. Nor did we name the West Indian language as >>"broken English." What we said was the person who answers the phone >>in these scams sometimes speaks broken English and pretends not to >>understand you to keep you on the line. We certainly did not, and do >>not, view West Indian language as "broken English." >> >> >>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >> >>A plug for our newsletter, NETrageous Results: Stop >>wasting your time, effort and money on unsuccessful Internet >>marketing. Visit http://www.netrageous.com/netrageous.html >> >>BTW, we are often asked how we can publish Internet ScamBusters and >>yet sell stuff on the Net. The answer is simple: We respect Internet >>culture, offer only very high quality products, and give exceptional >>guarantees on everything we offer. We are passionate about helping >>businesses achieve outstanding success by providing tremendous >>value to customers. At the same time, we=B9re committed to helping >>people avoid getting ripped off by Internet scams, >>misinformation and hype. >> >>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >> >>About Internet ScamBusters >>Internet ScamBusters is a free resource to >>benefit the commercial Internet community, published by Audri and >>Jim Lanford at NETrageous Inc. Feel free to pass along the >>entire zine for non-commercial purposes - however, please do not >>remove the copyright notice. >> >>If you like Internet ScamBusters, please forward it along >>or tell your friends where they can subscribe >>-email to [log in to unmask] or at http://www.scambusters.com >>We appreciate it! >> >>To UNSUBSCRIBE from Internet ScamBusters, send an e-mail to: >>[log in to unmask] and write "unsubscribe" in the subject field. >> >>To SUBSCRIBE to Internet ScamBusters, send an e-mail to: >>[log in to unmask] and write "subscribe" in the subject field. >> >>To receive a list of PAST ISSUES of Internet ScamBusters, send an >>e-mail to: [log in to unmask] and write ISSUE in the subject field. >> >>To COMMENT on Internet ScamBusters, send an e-mail to: >>[log in to unmask] >>(Please do not send comments to this list by clicking reply. >>This is a one-way only mailing list.) >> >>We welcome your feedback. Please send any questions, comments, >>stories about bad experiences, or words of wisdom to help others NOT >>get ripped off to [log in to unmask] (anonymity guaranteed). >> >>The disclaimer located at http://www.scambusters.com/disclaimer.html >>applies to this zine. >> >> >> >Sincerely & Fraternally, IMJ, IMHO, I guess.=20 > >George W. (Jolly) Eaton >e-mail: [log in to unmask] >WM Elect - Zion Lodge No. 77 AF & AM >SW - Kerrisdale Lodge No. 117 AF & AM >First Principal - Triple Tau Chapter No. 21, RAM >Presiding Preceptor - Columbia Preceptory No. 34 (KT) >Vancouver BC Canada =20 > >Block updated 1996-10-13 > > >