Strange Text Message

[javacontour]

I got the following text:

Quote:

Hey! Are you ok? I heard you fell off a horse & almost got killed, luckily the wal mart greeter unplugged it, be careful next time.



It was from 480-298-4700

Seems odd.

Anyone else get something like this?

It's not a message to my google voice number either. It came directly to my cell phone.

Anyone else?

A google of that number turns up nothing.

 

[JHZR2]

Just got this today. While the area code differs, it seems similar. See below:

Quote:

Subject: FW: 809 AREA CODE----Important (UNCLASSIFIED)





Please read below and don not respond to or answer any call from area codes 809, 284, AND 876. Open the link at the bottom of the page to read more.











Subject: 809 AREA CODE----Important



809 AREA CODE----Important



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 didn't 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.S. , 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's 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'S TRUE :



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

 

[javacontour]

Thanks. I wasn't planning on any sort of response. Just curious if anyone knows anything about it.

 

[javacontour]

480 is Arizona, so it's not that sort of thing.

I figure it's some sort of text phishing bot looking for numbers that will respond.

If folks phish for e-mails, why wouldn't they phish for phone that have text. If you respond, you get a bunch of spam in the form of text messages.

But that's just speculation on my part. I was looking for anyone with first hand knowledge.

 

[Gary Allan]

In a more ambitious time in my life ..when I was more of a "gun for hire" in my eternal need to chase a buck, this is the sorta plan I would come up with for adding revenue to the company's coffers.

I would be the "black bag" dept of ATT/Sprint/Verizon that made you waste money.

..but as you can see, you don't need to do this sorta stuff. They've promoted texting to the level of video game in the boredom killing business for far more revenue than can be achieved in this manner.

 

[javacontour]

Well, we do pay for unlimted texting, but that's because DD goes through about 12K texts a month when counting both send and received.

But if an advertiser had your number and knew it was valid...

I'd think this was just a mistake if it weren't such an "even" number.

 

[1maniac]

That Area code and exchange is listed for Phoenix Arizona, Maricopa County and the owner is verizon wireless. If the number is ported it could now be used by any carrier. The exchange is relatively new as it was created on 6-28-2006 for VzWireless.

Cheers.

 

[1maniac]

The area codes 809,876,and 284 are for The Dominican Republic, Jamaca, and the British Virgin Islands.

Don't answer.
Don't call.

EVER!

 

[wantin150]

Speaking of horses in Walmart....Had one come in a local store the other day. Mounted Deputy was chasing a fight suspect and ran him right into the store. He realized his mistake quite quickly and left. Can only imagine the carnage if he had hit those tiled floors.

 

[Loobed]

I got a strange text message a few weeks ago about some guy who fell of a horse and was going to lose his farm. I really don't care if someone falls of a horse or loses his farm.

Now if he had texted he found oil for 25 cents a quart.....

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: wantin150
Speaking of horses in Walmart....Had one come in a local store the other day. Mounted Deputy was chasing a fight suspect and ran him right into the store. He realized his mistake quite quickly and left. Can only imagine the carnage if he had hit those tiled floors.



Hmmm...was his name McCloud?