Wakefield resident Alice Johnson passed along some pertinent information for all local citizens regarding a phone call scam which could cost area residents hard earned money.
According to the information Johnson obtained from AT&T, she implores residents to not call the 809-area code, the 284- area code, or the 876- area code in the USA or Canada.
The document Johnson obtained from AT&T referred to several avenues the criminals would use to bait the recipients of the call into parting with money.
Some of the scams include telling the recipients of the call a family member is ill, has been arrested, or you have won a wonderful prize.
In each case, the recipient is told to phone the 809 number immediately.
There are so many area codes these days, people return the calls to unknown numbers and area codes…DON’T.
The document Johnson obtained states if you call the number back, you may be charged over $2,000 per minute for the return call.
Apparently, the 809- area code is in the Dominican Republic and the charges resulting from the call back can become a nightmare.
According to the document, the call back came from you and will result in little any company is available to do to rectify the situation.
“If you complain, both the local telephone company and your cell phone/long distance carrier will not want to get involved,” the document said. “They (the carriers) will most likely tell you they are simply providing the billing service for the foreign company you’ll end up with a foreign company that argues it has done nothing wrong.”
Bottom line: don’t return calls from the 809, 284, and 876 area codes.
For more information, visit the AT&T website.