The Federal Communications Commission has issued a consumer advisory cautioning consumers to be wary of 809 telephone scams.

The scams involve e-mail or voicemail messages or pages informing consumers that they must call a telephone number with a three-digit area code, such as 809, 876 or 284.

The lure may include a claim in the message that a call is required to learn about winning a prize or to find out about the condition of a sick relative.

Consumers assume that the call is domestic long distance. It isn't.

Dialing the number results in a call to a place outside the country that is charged to the consumer at high international rates.

For example, 809 is a Dominican Republic area code; 876 calls go to Jamaica. The British Virgin Islands has the 284 code. Consumers don't learn what has happened until they receive their telephone bills.

The FCC urges consumers to be careful when making calls. Know the area codes before calling.

If you are a consumer who does not make international calls, consider asking your local phone company to block outgoing international calls on your line.

Consumers wishing to file telephone service complaints with the FCC can do so online at www.ftc.gov (click "for consumers" at the top of the Web page, and on the next page click, "file a complaint").

Complaints also can be filed with the FCC by calling (888) 225-5322 (CALL-FCC) or (888) 835-5322 (TTY).

Opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. Joseph Pellicciotti is a lawyer, professor and associate vice chancellor at Indiana University Northwest.