Driving Laws, DUI and Crime on the Road

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office would like to update county residents regarding the 809 area code scam
which has been ongoing for several years. Email and news information has been somewhat misleading, especially
regarding the highly exaggerated cost of a phone call to the 809 area code, which is a legitimate area code for the
Dominican Republic. Reports of charges as much as 2400 dollars per minute have no basis in fact.

This long distance phone scam causes consumers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills which
are originated by unscrupulous pay-per-call operators from certain non U.S. area codes. Consumers will 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 about a sick relative, etc. The caller assumes the number is a typical three-digit U.S. area code;
however, the caller is actually connected to a phone number outside the U.S., often in Canada or the Caribbean.
Several phone companies, including AT & T, have provided the following information and tips:

• Return calls to familiar number only. As a general rule, return numbers that contain familiar or
recognizable area codes. You may call directory assistance or research internet sources to check area code
locations.
•
• Carefully read your phone bill. Make sure that you only receive charges from your provider of choice.

Ensure you thoroughly understand charges listed on your phone bill, have chosen to do business with all
of the listed providers billing for those charges and have authorized additional fees involved.
If you believe you have been scammed, contact the carrier with whom the charge originated whose name and tollfree
number should be printed on the same bill page as the charge in question. If the carrier with whom the charge
originated does not agree to resolve the problem, contact your phone provider for assistance. If you are unable to
resolve the issue with your phone company, consider filing an online complaint with the Federal Communications
Commission at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at
(928) 771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov

YAVAPAI COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
255 East Gurley Street
Prescott, Arizona 86301
Media Relations Office
(928)771-3275
Meeddiiaa Reelleeaassee
March 7, 2008