"900" PREFIX TELEPHONE NUMBERS
(PAY-PER-CALL TELEPHONE NUMBERS)
"900" numbers
are called "pay-per-call" services because you pay for the call as
well as the cost of the information or service provided during the call.
Charges for the 900 number calls are set by the 900 number companies, not by
the government or by the telephone companies and often are much higher than
regular long-distance rates.
TIPS
FOR CONSUMERS
When you dial a 900
prefix number you should hear:
- the 900 number company's name;
- the cost of the call;
- a description of the information, goods or
services to be provided;
- a notice that you can hang up and not be
charged for the call within 3 seconds of hearing a certain tone or
signal;
- a
warning that kids under 18 need their parents' permission to stay on the
line.
You cannot be billed
for listening to this beginning message.
It is illegal to be
transferred from a toll-free "800" number to a "900"
number. Do not permit an "800" number servicer to con you into
hanging up and accepting a collect call.
Bills for "900"
numbers should tell you who to contact if you think there is a problem and
provide a local or toll-free number that you can call to dispute charges.
If you dispute a
"900" number charge, put your dispute in writing within 60 days.
Your local and long-distance service cannot be shut off if you refuse to pay
a disputed "900" number charge. Deduct the charges you are
disputing and pay the rest of the bill by the due date.
You can ask your local
telephone company to block your phone so that children or other people in
your household cannot make "900" number calls.
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