809 Area Code Scam ... Take it With a Grain of Salt

Every so often, and with chain letter urgency, emails will shotgun through the web warning of a scam involving calls from the 809 area code. The e-mails caution recipients about proliferating fraud schemes perpetrated by unscrupulous pay-per-call operators. They may also warn of fraud associated with 649, 284 or 876 area codes, which in most cases are legitimate area codes for the Dominican Republic.

How Does the Scam Work?

The typical long distance phone scam exploits a person's fears and other emotions by leaving a message telling them to call a phone number with an 809, 649, 284 or 876 area code ("649" goes to the Turks and Caicos, "809" goes to the Dominican Republic, "284" goes to the British Virgin Islands, and "876" goes to Jamaica). The message urges victims to call back if they want to collect a prize, learn about a sick or dying relative, or about someone they know who has been arrested.

The victim's phone rings once or twice and then disconnects the call. When the number shows up in the wireless phone log as a missed call, it looks like a typical domestic telephone number. The scam took off when the government cracked down on domestic 900-number scams some years ago. The problem stubbornly persists because some phone numbers in the "809" and similar international area codes are "pay-per-call" numbers, and there are no legal requirements to inform callers that they are being charged extra in these areas.

When victims return one of these "pay-per-call" 809 calls, the scamsters try to keep them on the phone as long as possible to run up the cost of the call. Unfortunately, the unsuspecting callers don't realize they've been charged higher international call rates until they get their bill. Fortunately, while this scam continues to dupe some into making costly calls, the scam has been less widespread in recent years due to the efforts of major carriers to eliminate access to these fraudulent pay-per-call operators.

Don't be a Victim

Here are some informative tips that can help you from becoming a victim of this scam.

1. Don't return calls to unfamiliar numbers. If you get a call from a strange number, especially one with an unfamiliar or unrecognizable area code, don't return the call. You may also call your directory assistance or long distance operator to check the area code's location.
2. Read your telephone bill carefully. Make sure you only receive charges from your provider of choice. Ensure you thoroughly understand the charges listed on your phone bill, that you have chosen to do business with all of the listed providers billing for those charges, and that you have authorized any additional fees invoiced. If your local service provider has changed, you will receive a final bill from the former provider and a notice of service disconnection. If you don't make international calls, ask your local or wireless phone company to block outgoing international calls on your line.
3. If you suspect you have been scammed. Contact the carrier with whom the charge originated. The name and toll-free telephone number should be printed on the same bill page as the charge in question. The problem can often be resolved with a single phone call. Some companies will work with you and the carrier to help remove fraudulent charges from the phone bill. You may also file a complaint online with the Federal Communications Commission about this and/or related phone scams. There is no charge for filing a complaint. Use an FCC on-line complaint form found at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. You can also file your complaint with the FCC's Consumer Center by emailing fccinfo@fcc.gov or calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322).

Recent Results: California Personal Injury Lawyers File Wrongful Death Action Against Caltrans

The California personal injury lawyers of BISNAR | CHASE (www.BestAttorney.com) have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Caltrans, Holly Ann Lee, Gaylene Lee, Victoriana Vazquez and Miguel Alvarez.

The suit alleges that the lack of lighting on an high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane resulted in a dangerous condition that precipitated several collisions and resulted in the demise of 22-year-old Kimberly Anne Downes. Additional allegations of DUI and speeding fall upon motorists Holly Ann Lee and Victoriana Alvarez for the death of Downes. Gaylene Lee and Miguel Alvarez are named as owners of the vehicles involved in the collisions. The action was brought against the defendants by James R. Downes and Myung Sun Kim, Kimberly's parents.

A Cascade of Collisions and a Preventable Fatality

On February 13, 2009, Kimberly Anne Downes was driving to work in her 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe within the speed limit on SR-60 in the Los Angeles County city of Diamond Bar when, for unknown reasons, she swerved to the left, striking the center concrete median wall and overturning in the HOV lane. Shortly thereafter, Holly Ann Lee, driving a 2007 Toyota Yaris, struck Downes' Hyundai. Downes was at that time standing outside of her Hyundai, close to the collision of the two vehicles. Immediately following this collision, Victoriana Vazquez, driving a 2003 Jeep Liberty, struck Downes, who may have been thrown into the eastbound lanes of SR-60, fatally injuring Downes.

Suit Alleges Caltrans Failed to Provide Safe Lighting

The plaintiffs contend that Caltrans was negligent in its duty to provide a safe public roadway. They allege that Caltrans failed to ensure that the double armed center median lights east of the Grand Avenue overpass near SR-60 (the Pomona Freeway) were turned on at the time of the accident--at approximately 3:30 a.m. The plaintiffs further allege that Caltrans neglected to perform regular and routine inspections of the lighting on SR-60 just east of the Grand Avenue overpass and that they neglected to warn motorists of this dangerous condition.

"Before this tragic car accident occurred, Caltrans undertook traffic surveys and scene analysis studies in the immediate vicinity of the crash site," noted Orange County personal injury attorney Brian Chase, a partner at BISNAR | CHASE. "Line-of-sight and vision issues prompted Caltrans to erect four double-armed high-intensity light poles in the center median of SR-60, immediately east and west of the Los Angeles county car accident site, and just east of the Grand Avenue overpass. The lack of lighting prior to construction resulted in a dangerous condition of darkness, which was compounded by the impaired line-of-sight overpass at Grand Avenue."

DUI and Speeding Alleged as Contributing Factors

The plaintiffs contend that the dangerously dark conditions and poor line-of-sight visibility prevented defendants Lee and Vazquez from seeing Downes and her vehicle so as to take evasive actions to avoid colliding with Downes. The plaintiffs also contend that Lee was negligent and careless in operating the Toyota Yaris, since she was driving at an excessive and unsafe speed and allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. The plaintiffs further allege that Vazquez was driving at an excessive and unsafe speed when she struck Downes.

The wrongful death case (number KC056861) was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, East District. The action seeks economic and non-economic damages for the wrongful death of Kimberly Anne Downes.

Read more BISNAR | CHASE personal injury press releases.

BestAttorney.com Mobile Site Goes Live

If you go to www.bestattorney.com on your iPhone, BlackBerry, etc., our website will detect if you are coming from a mobile device and display our new mobile site instead of the full site. The mobile site provides people with important information on what to do if involved in a car accident.

In addition, visitors will be able to touch our 800 phone number on their mobile phone screen and connect to us immediately. They will be able to save our site as a favorite and a BISNAR|CHASE icon will be stored on their desktop screen for their convenience. Visitors will also be able to order John's book, "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim," right from their phone.

In this way, we hope to be able to reach out and help more accident victims, particularly when they are away from their computers and at the scene of an accident. If you are ever involved in an accident or are in the vicinity of an accident, please call bestattorney.com or bestattorney.mobi from your phone to get information on what to do.

Client Video Testimonial: Orange County Woman Speaks Out

The day Alexis Bennett got in an car accident was the worst day of her life. In September 2007, she was driving across an intersection when a car struck her from out of nowhere. Seriously injured, she was also gripped with additional anxiety over what she was supposed to do next.

Thankfully, a concerned aunt suggested that Alexis visit the Orange County personal injury lawyers of BISNAR | CHASE.

"They went over everything, asked me questions, asked me how it happened, the intersection--was I crossing at my time? If I was going to the doctor, if I was having nightmares. They wanted all information so they could best help me," Alexis said in a car accident video testimonial.

Although confident and comfortable with her representation, Alexis naturally dreaded the thought of going to court and the additional strain it could cause her family and herself. Personally meeting with BISNAR | CHASE founding partner John Bisnar helped set her mind at ease.

"I just wanted to get my case done and settled. He assured me we could keep it out of court," Alexis said. She then received a phone call telling her that the case would be finished in a matter of weeks and much to her relief and satisfaction, it was.

"I was very happy that everyone I worked with from coming in and being greeted by reception to my own actual personal lawyers were so amazing that I couldn't wish or wanted for a better experience here at BISNAR | CHASE," Alexis said.

Watch all of our client video testimonials.

In the California Injury Blog

Here are a few recent car accident stories that have been in the news, as covered on http://www.CaliforniaInjuryBlog.com ...

• October 5 - Los Angeles Fatal DUI Car Accident
• October 8 - Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident Injures Teen
• October 12 - Los Angeles Car Accident Injures Mother and Toddler Crossing the Street

Visit the blog today to receive regular updates on local injuries and accidents in California.

Lawyer Joke: Who Pays?

A doctor and a lawyer were at a cocktail party when the doctor was approached by a man who asked advice on how to handle his ulcer. The doctor mumbled some medical advice, then turned to the lawyer and remarked, "I never know how to handle the situation when I'm asked for medical advice during a social function. Is it acceptable to send a bill for such advice?"

The lawyer replied that it was certainly acceptable to do so.

So, the next day, the doctor sent the ulcer-stricken man a bill. The lawyer also sent one to the doctor!

Read more lawyer jokes and contribute your own at our lawyer joke page.

The Seven Fatal Mistakes

John Bisnar, founding partner of BISNAR | CHASE, is well known for his experience and expertise litigating personal injury claims. John's book, The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim, provides the guidance victims need to successfully settle a personal injury claim.

According to John, he wrote the book because "I don't like to see the average guy being taken advantage of by insurance companies, government agencies and other powerful entities."

Get a free copy of The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim.

Still Unsafe At Any Speed

Did an SUV roll over? An airbag fail to deploy? A tire come apart? A fuel tank explode? A seat collapse? A roof sustain severe deformation and crush? A seat belt unlatch or otherwise pop open?

This book enables readers to evaluate an auto products liability case by offering valuable information of the specifics of common vehicle defects. To illustrate the traffic implications of defective autos in people's lives, real-life accounts have been included, reminding us that we are dealing with much more than statistical and technical information here.

Get your own copy of Still Unsafe At Any Speed: Auto Defects That Cause Wrongful Deaths and Catastrophic Injuries.

Glovebox Organizer Offered at No Cost

BISNAR | CHASE has designed an Insurance & Registration Organizer to keep your car documents organized and to assist you if you are involved in a car accident.

The Organizer has a slot to put your automobile Certificate of Insurance, a place to put your automobile registration, an Accident Information Form with instructions on what to do after a traffic accident and what information to collect at the scene of a car accident, a pen, a flashlight with batteries, a tire pressure gauge, and a note pad.

Get your Free Glove Box Organizer right now!