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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has
become aware of a long distance phone scam that may lead consumers to
inadvertently ring up high charges on their phone bills.
The Scam Works Something Like This
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You get an e-mail, voicemail or page telling
you to call a phone number with an 809, 284, or 876 (or some other
three-digit) area code to collect a prize, find out about a sick
relative, engage in sex talk, etc.
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You assume you are making a domestic long
distance call - as "809", "284", and "876" (and other three-digit
area codes involved in this scam) appear to be typical three-digit
U.S. area codes.
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When you dial the "809", "284" or "876" (or
other three-digit) area code plus the number, however, you're
actually connected to a phone number outside the United States,
often in Canada or the Caribbean, and charged international call
rates. (In this case, 809 goes to the Dominican Republic, 284 goes
to the British Virgin Islands, and 876 goes to Jamaica.)
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You don't find out about the higher
international call rates until you receive your phone bill.
To Minimize the Risk of This Happening to You
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Check any area codes before returning calls.
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If you do not otherwise make international
calls, ask your local phone company to block outgoing international
calls on your line.
Filing a Complaint with the FCC
There is no charge to file an informal complaint
with the FCC. Your letter should include your name, address, telephone
number or numbers involved with your complaint, a telephone number
where you can be reached during the business day, and the name of your
long distance carrier. Your complaint letter should also provide as
much specific information as possible, such as:
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an explanation of the circumstances that led to
your complaint; " the names of all telephone or other companies
involved with your complaint;
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the names and telephone numbers of the
telephone company employees that you talked to in an effort to
resolve your complaint;
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the dates that you talked with these employees;
and
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any other information that would help the FCC
to process your complaint.
Your local telephone company also often has
records that are essential to the processing of your complaint.
You should mail your complaint to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
To file a complaint electronically, go to
www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html. Consumers can also file by e-mail
at fccinfo@fcc.gov.
Filing a Complaint with the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC)
The FTC is revising its regulations to give
consumers more rights when they are victims of international phone
call scams. Among other things, the rules will require that calling
costs be disclosed to the consumer before his/her call is connected.
Callers may submit their complaints, in writing,
to the FTC. The FTC does not typically investigate or resolve specific
complaints, but they look for trends or patterns when an issue appears
to warrant action. FTC complaints should be mailed to:
Consumer Response Center
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20580
FTC toll-free number: 1-877-382-4357 FTC
e-mail address for reporting fraud:
crc@ftc.gov
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