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242 State Street, State House Station #18, Augusta, Maine  04333

Contact:       Derek D. Davidson (207) 287-1596

                                                                           Email:  derek.d.davidson@maine.gov 

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) is warning consumers that a simple reply to a phone number with the area code 809 (Dominican Republic) may result in excessive long distance charges ($100.00 or more in some reported cases).  Consumers may fall into this potentially expensive situation by responding to messages requesting a call back to the 809 area code or to other Caribbean codes.  Also, be aware of any telephone numbers with the 011 international access code.

The scam begins with an urgent message left on answering machines, emails, or website advertisements.  Messages vary from unclaimed sweepstake prizes to reports of accidents involving family members or friends to unpaid bills.  Often, unsuspecting consumers call the number, which connects them to a long recorded message or someone who cannot speak English.

Consumers can protect themselves by remembering some important points:

v     Consumers will be charged for dialing these “off-shore” area code telephone numbers. American law cannot protect consumers because these area codes indicate that the calls originate from the Caribbean or other international locations.  Once the number is dialed, long distance charges begin to accumulate.  US telephone carriers cannot establish a “pay-per-call number block” on the International area code.

v     Be wary of faxes, pages, e-mails, and voice messages to call numbers that you don't recognize. Don't dial unless you know who and where you're calling. If you are not sure where a long-distance number is, call your local telephone carrier and ask the representative.  For a listing of area codes see your telephone book or these websites: http://www.lincmad.com/locator.html or http://www.nanpa.com.

v     The scam artist’s motive is to prolong the call anyway possible.  A clever stalling tactic may cost the consumers as much as $100.  Consumers who find themselves in this situation are advised to hang up immediately.

v     Consumers should beware that once the call to an off-shore area code connects, international telephone companies become involved.  This means incurred charges cannot be dismissed by consumers’ local or long distance telephone carriers.  Consumers contesting the charges must deal with the international carriers

If you have any questions regarding this telephone scam, please contact the Maine Public Utilities Commission’s Consumer Assistance Hotline at (800) 452-4699.You can also reach the Maine PUC at: TTY Relay (800) 437-1220

                                                                                    E-mail: maine.puc@maine.gov

Fax:  (207) 287-1039
Webpage: www.janus.state.me.us/mpuc.

                                                          Area Code  Caribbean Location