I got this email today. Dont know if its true or not, but ist coming from someone at AT&T so who knows.
"THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T.
> >DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809
> >
> >This one is being distributed all over the US. This is pretty scary,
> >especially given the way they try to get you to call. Be sure you read this
> >and pass it on to all your friends and family so they don't get scammed!
> >
> >MAJOR SCAM:
> >Don't respond to Emails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you to call
> >an
> >"809" Phone Number. This is a very important issue of Scam Busters because
> >it alerts you to a scam that is spreading *extremely* quickly can easily
> >cost you $2400 or more, and is difficult to avoid unless you are aware of
> >it. We'd like to thank Verizon for bringing this scam to our attention.
> >This
> >scam has also been identified by the National Fraud Information Center and
> >is costing victims a lots of money. There are lots of different
> >permutations of this scam.
> >
> >HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:
> >
> >You will receive a message on your answering machine or your pager, which
> >asks you to call a number beginning with area code 809. The reason you're
> >asked to call varies. It can be to receive information about a family
> >member
> >who has been ill, to tell you someone has been arrested, died, to let you
> >know you have won a wonderful prize, etc. In each case, you are told to
> >call
> >the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these
> >days, people unknowingly return these calls.
> >
> >If you call from the US, you will apparently be charged $2425 per-minute.
> >Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep
> >you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges.
> >Unfortunately,
> >when you get your phone bill, you'll often be charged more than $24,100.00.
> >
> >WHY IT WORKS:
> >
> >The 809 area code is located in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. The 809 area code
> >can be used as a "pay-per-call" number, similar to 900 numbers in the US.
> >Since 809 is not in the US, it is not covered by US regulations of 900
> >numbers, which require that you be notified and warned of charges and rates
> >involved when you call a "pay-per-call" number.
> >
> >There is also no requirement that the company provide a time period during
> >which you may terminate the call without being charged. Further, whereas
> >many US homes that have 900 number blocking to avoid these kinds of
> >charges,
> >do not work in preventing calls to the 809 area code. We recommend that no
> >matter how you get the message, if you are asked to call a number with an
> >809 area code that you don't recognize just disregard the message. Be wary
> >of email or calls asking you to call an 809 area code number. It's
> >important
> >to prevent becoming a victim of this scam, since trying to fight the
> >charges
> >afterwards can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually
> >make
> >the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long
> >distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell
> >you
> >that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You'll
> >end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing
> >wrong.
> >
> >Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues
> >to
> >help them become aware of this scam.
> >
> >Sandi Van Handel
> >AT&T Field Service Manager
> >(920) 687-904
> >Additional information can be obtained from the following AT&T Web Site
> >
> >
http://www.att.com/fraud/home.html#thre/s/ "