I got this email from my wife yesterday and thought it was worth sharing

809 Area Code

We actually received a call last week from the 809 area code. The woman said 'Hey,
this is Karen . Sorry I missed you--get back to us
quickly. I have something important to tell you.' Then
she repeated a phone number beginning with 809 We did not respond.
Then this week, we received the following e-mail:

Do Not DIAL AREA CODE
809, 284, AND 876

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.

They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or 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 U.*. , 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.
WHY IT WORKS:

The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic ..
The charges afterward can become a real
nightmare. That'* 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.

AT&T VERIFIES IT'* TRUE :

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045

SNOPES VERIFIES IT'* TRUE:
http://www.snopescom/fraud/telephone/809.asp

I solve that by never returning phone calls.

I dont return any calls out of my area code usally creaditers.

I share the same phone strategy. If it'* that important...they will call back. If they call back and I don't know them, they know my other numbers as well and can reach me there.

Good stuff to know and look out for.

I need to change my greeting to Hello, this is Dan. I'm making some changes in my life. Please leave a message, if I don't call you back, your part of those changes.

Nice one Dan! ROFLMAO!

That scam is real and I as I remember involves a couple of different 3 digit area codes that are beyond the reach of the Feds. If they can't control them, they shouldn't be in our area code "sphere" They should have their own Country code. Freakin Caribbeans.

I don't think the feds can do anything since you actually physically make the phone call

It'* within their realm to require these offshore Countries to carry their own Country Code before the area code, like the rest of the world. It would give people a heads up somethings not right.

I agree, there could also be a system to warn you that your going to have to take out a mortgage on your house to pay for this phone call.