The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Northern Indiana is warning Hoosier consumers about the new “809 area code” scam.

The scam works this way. An e-mail, phone call, page, or other means of communication alerts the consumer to call a number in the 809 area code for one of these reasons: the recipient’s friend or relative is sick; he’s won a sweepstakes or lottery; the recipient has outstanding debt and if he doesn’t call immediately, his credit score could be jeopardized.

Here’s the trick. Foreign countries are now using U.S. area codes, and persons who get taken by this scam are being tricked into calling a number which will cost them a lot of money.

Once the victim calls that number, he is connected to a fax machine, lengthy recorded message, or pay-per-call service with a hefty up-front fee, all intended to keep the victim on the line as long as possible while the clock ticks and charges increase.

The scammer’s foreign phone company then bills the victim via his local phone company, splitting the proceeds with the scammer and leaving the victim little or no recourse since the foreign phone company operates outside U.S. jurisdiction and is not subject to U.S. laws.

A victim is usually taken for $25 to $100, but some have people have lost more.

Beware: scammers have been using the 809 area codes but other one are being used as well.

Alerts have been posted at the site of the National Fraud Information Center alerting businesspersons especially to “fax back” solicitations employing the 809 callback trick. Consumers can contact the Federal Communications Commission to file a complaint.

“Scammers are working 24/7,” the BBB said. “They are not slowing down. The are consistently looking for ways to clean you out. Think before you act. All it takes is a few minutes of your time to get the right answers. Use your common sense at all times and in all situations. Call or go on line and let your BBB assist you.”

Posted 3/17/2008