Mystical Phone Numbers
Chris Gunn
Friday, April 12th, 1996
No, this is not some warped mathematical equation. Most people know that
900 numbers are pay-per-call numbers. Did you know that 500 and 700
numbers are also pay-per-call? If you call a number with a 500 or 700 code
in the US you're going to get billed for it like any 900 number. Even more
scary, numbers that are international long distance calls to countries where
regulations are not as tight.
Companies may use these numbers as pay-per-call to get around regulations
and 900 blocks. These companies get rebates from their foreign phone
companies for these calls. In this way they get paid, but they don't have
to obey US 900# regulations. These regulations require them to warn you of
the charge and rate involved, and also to provide a time period during
which you may terminate the call without charge. Many people are reporting
getting messages on their answering machines telling them that it is urgent
they call a number beginning with an area code. They then call the number
only to hear a long recorded message. Later find a ridiculous sum of money
charged to their phone bill. If you get a message on your machine and you
don't know the person, don't call if it's not in your area code. If you
feel you must call, at least check with the phone company for the
applicable rates before you call. Just because you don't know it's a
pay-per-call number doesn't mean that you won't get charged for it.
Remember, if the call is that important, they'll call back.
Log on the WebSite at http://www.fraud.org, or call 1-800-876-7060.
If you spot obviously illegal operations on the E-Ways, please
forward copies of the messages to NFIC at frau...@psinet.com.
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