Know how to identify a phone scam when the time calls

Periodically, e-mails warning of a scam involving calls from the 809 area code circulate. The e-mails contend that there has been fraud associated with unscrupulous payper-call operators in that area code.

However, the message contains some misinformation, especially the highly exaggerated cost of a phone call to the 809 area code, which is a legitimate area code for the Dominican Republic. The scam is less prevalent in recent years as a result of work done by AT&T to eliminate access to fraudulent pay-per-call operators.

The long-distance phone scam causes customers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills. Customers usually receive a message telling them to call a phone number with an 809, 284 or 876 area code in order to collect a prize, find out information about a sick relative and so on.

The consumer assumes the number is a U.S. area code; however, the caller is actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and charged international call rates. Customers don't find out about the high rates until they receive their bill.

AT&T offers the following information and tips.

•Return calls to familiar numbers only. Call directory assistance or a long-distance operator to check the area code location of unfamiliar numbers.

•Carefully read the telephone bill. Make sure charges are only from the provider of choice and thoroughly understand the charges on the bill. If the local service provider has changed, the former provider will send a final bill and a notice of service disconnection.

For consumers who believe that they have been scammed:

•Contact the carrier with whom the charge originated. The name and toll-free phone number should be printed on the same bill page as the charge in question. Often the problem can be resolved with a single phone call.

•If the carrier does not agree to resolve the problem, call AT&T to help remove the fraudulent charges from the phone bill.

•File an online complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.