... I myself didn't know anything about it, until I Googled because I'd gotten some calls from an 833 area code:

[www.sidneydailynews.com]

... this being tax season (some states, including my own, had moved their deadline to June 15), it's a real problem.

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

The 833 area code is just the latest toll free area code to be added, so it's the one that has numbers available for any purpose, not exclusively scammers.

It's been around for almost 4 years.

[www.fcc.gov]

Quote

Toll free codes – 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833.

Toll free numbers are numbers that begin with one of the following three-digit codes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833. Although 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833 are all toll free codes, they are not interchangeable. Dialing a number using a 1-800 prefix would reach a different recipient than dialing that number using a 1-888 prefix. Calls to each toll free number are routed to a particular local telephone number.

The 833 area code was a bit different, there was an auction process for getting some numbers.

Quote

The FCC made certain numbers in the 833 toll free code available via an auction. The 833 Auction is an experiment to determine how to use competitive bidding to most effectively assign toll free numbers. For more information about the 833 Auction, visit [auction.somos.com].

Quote
GGD
The 833 area code is just the latest toll free area code to be added, so it's the one that has numbers available for any purpose, not exclusively scammers.

It's been around for almost 4 years.

[www.fcc.gov]

Quote

Toll free codes – 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833.

Toll free numbers are numbers that begin with one of the following three-digit codes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833. Although 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833 are all toll free codes, they are not interchangeable. Dialing a number using a 1-800 prefix would reach a different recipient than dialing that number using a 1-888 prefix. Calls to each toll free number are routed to a particular local telephone number.

The 833 area code was a bit different, there was an auction process for getting some numbers.

Quote

The FCC made certain numbers in the 833 toll free code available via an auction. The 833 Auction is an experiment to determine how to use competitive bidding to most effectively assign toll free numbers. For more information about the 833 Auction, visit [auction.somos.com].

Right, but apparently from the article I posted, it's very easy/cheap for individuals and/or scammers to buy the numbers. Of course, this assumes that the number wasn't being spoofed, but why make it easier for scammers to do their business?

Also, FYI, I had put pretty strong telemarketer/spam call screening/blocking on my phone, and the 833 number got through fine...

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

Just dont answer the phone anymore.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Quote
jdc
Just dont answer the phone anymore.

I don't, but I do check the missed numbers, because sometimes it's a legitimate call coming from an 800 or 866 number.

Also, the average older person might not realize that these numbers can apparently be bought cheaply and used by scammers... I could very easily see them answering the phone and thinking it was the IRS.

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

I was helping a friend, looking out for his 86yo mother today.

I was talking about this particular, new to me, fraud when she got a call on her new SE2 'Phone.

She didn't recognize the number but sort of wanted to answer, so said go ahead.

It was a reminder to renew the extended warranty on her car.

She usually doesn't answer if she doesn't recognize the number, and this was a timely reminder.

'If it's important, they'll leave a message.'

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I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Quote
RAMd®d
It was a reminder to renew the extended warranty on her car.

So a scam.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.