DIA WASHINGTON DC//DSM-4//
          STANDARD DISTRIBUTION

SUBJECT:  SECURITY ALERT AFFECTING ELECTRONIC PAGER MISUSE
(ASSIST 91-11) (U).
1. (U)  ASSIST IS IN RECEIPT OF AN ALERT GENERATED IN PRIVATE
INDUSTRY REGARDING THE A TELEPHONE SCAM TARGETING ELECTRONIC
PAGERS.  THE URGENT ALERT BEING ISSUED IS CONSIDERED SERIOUS AND
IGNORANCE COULD CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL FISCAL LOSS.
2. (FOUO) THE SCAM INVOLVES BEING PAGED FROM THE NUMBER
212-540-XXXX (WHERE XXXX CAN BE ANY FOUR NUMBERS).  THE 212 AREA
CODE COVERS NEW YORK CITY.  THE 540 EXCHANGE ACTS THE SAME AS A
900 SERVICE NUMBER.  IF THE 212-540-XXXX IS DIALED THEN THE
CALLING NUMBER IS BILLED FIFTY FIVE DOLLARS ($55). 
3. (FOUO) IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THESE NUMBERS ARE ARBITRARILY
APPEARING ON ELECTRONIC PAGERS (BEEPERS) AROUND THE U.S.  IF YOUR
AGENCY UTILIZE A CALL BLOCKING SERVICE TO PREVENT THE 900 AREA
CODE CALLS, CALLS TO THE 212-540-XXXX WILL NOT BE BLOCKED.  THE
POTENTIAL FOR CORPORATE AND PERSONAL LOSS (IN THE INSTANCE OF
EMPLOYEES RETURNING PAGES FROM THEIR HOMES) IS LARGE.  IT IS ALSO
POSSIBLE SINCE THE WASHINGTON DC AREA CODE IS 202 THAT CONFUSION
MAY ARISE AND CALLS BE INADVERTENTLY RETURNED.
4. (FOUO) ALL PERSONNEL IN POSSESSION OF AN ELECTRONIC PAGER MUST
BE STRONGLY CAUTIONED AGAINST ANSWERING PAGES FROM THE
212-540-XXXX AREA.  EMPLOYEES MUST BE REMINDED THAT WASHINGTON DC
IS AREA CODE 202 NOT 212.
5. (U) ASSIST POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS MATTER IS MIKE HIGGINS,
COMM (703) 284-0182 / DSN 251-0182.  ASSIST CAN BE REACHED 24
HOURS PER AT PAGER (202) 896-6863, AFTER THE TONES FROM A TOUCH
TONE PHONE ENTER THE CALL BACK NUMBER, OR DSN 243-8000 AND ASK TO
HAVE THE ASSIST DUTY OFFICER PAGED.