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Bogus 800 to 900 Switching Scams
The Set-Up: You apply for a work at home job (usually Typists and Data Entry positions.) The job offers great pay and requires little experience. The employer tells you that before you can start working they need to check and verify your home phone line to make sure that your line is clear. You will be asked to call an 800 number and follow the voice prompts.
The Scam: When you call the 800 number you will hear an automated message that sounds something like "Thank you for your interest in our Data Entry Jobs." Please press #9 so that we may verify your phone line." When you follow these instructions, you will be transferred to a 900 pay-per-call line and will be charged enormous rates for the call. Of course, the scammers want to keep you on the phone as long as possible, so you will be asked question after question regarding your employment background.
Another variation on the scam requires that you call a phone number with a 809 area code. The 809 area code in located in the British Virgin Islands (the Bahamas). It can be used as a "pay per call" number, similar to 900 and 976 numbers in the US. Since 809 is not in the US, it is not covered by US regulations of 900 numbers, which require that you be notified and warned of charges and rates involved when you call a "pay per call" number. We recommend that no matter how you get the message, if you are asked to call a number with an 809 area code that you don't recognize, investigate further and/or disregard the message. Fighting the charges can become a real nightmare. If you complain, both our 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 insists they have done nothing wrong.
The Cold Hard Truth: This scam is called "Switching" and is illegal. Many telephone companies have created systems that can detect 800 to 900 line transfers and will automatically disconnect the call. However, many job seekers are still falling victim to this crime. To protect yourself, never follow through with a request to "test your phone line" or any other similar request that requires you to call an automated voice line.
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel: SOHO Jobs does not tolerate scams, tricks, misleading opportunities or any other solicitations made by the pond scum who are only after your money and not your skills. Contact our Scram Scams! division before sending any fees to a work-at-home opportunity. If the company is legit, we will let you know. If not, we will feature them in our weekly newsletter for all subscribers to see and avoid.
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