Hey, have you all heard of the phone scam where they just want you to pick up because its some unknown area code?? I guess they often come from some of the Caribbean islands. Anyway, just by answering the call is connected and somehow they can run up some big bills on your provider. I guess they bank on a lot of people either not looking at their phone bills and not willing to spend the time fighting the charges.
Sort of what happened to us back in the mid-90s when we were down in Mexico on our honeymoon. I called back the family a number of times thinking I was using my ATT calling card. Somehow a 3rd party was involved (something like "Overseas Operator Assistance, Inc" out of San Diego aka Mexico) and they charged outrageous time per minute. Our bill was around $425 total where my long distance back then was typically $50-100 a month (I know some of you young guys that have never paid a long distance phone bill must find that amusing that people used to routinely pay one). Anyway, I was surprised at the number of people I knew when I told the story that said, "well, you have to pay it". Not without a fight, I said. Once we got ATT to get off of our backs collecting for these muggers, we never heard another peep from them. We even offered them about $125 (which was what I figured it would have cost me really using the calling card). Silence...I guess their business plan were the people who wouldn't fight it.
