ANYONE can use YOUR TELEPHONE to make calls to these 900 numbers and your PHONE COMPANY bills YOU for it.
Many of these frauds involve calling an 800 (Free)
phone number first, where you receive an "excited message" and given a
"very important" 900 number to call for "more information".
We have all seen the "Phone Psychic" advertisements, and we are probably all aware of the "Phone Sex" numbers too.
I cannot imagine any sane ADULT calling any of these numbers. If you do call, they are REQUIRED BY LAW to plainly tell you the PER MINUTE charges that will be levied against your PHONE BILL.
Some people may not be too swift at math, so "Only
$5 a minute!" doesn't sound all that bad until you get the phone bill with
a $50 or $60 charge for "only talking for 10 minutes".
People under 18 are absolutely NOT authorized to do this. They ask- "Are you over 18 years of age?". OF COURSE, a KID who thinks he has "anonymity" and is "getting away with it" will say "YES".
Well folks, it is some kind of a CRIME for your kid to do this, and these "honorable companies" will offer to PROSECUTE THE KID for his dishonesty if you refuse to pay for it.
Prosecute the KID! Isn't THAT WONDERFUL? Who gets the punishment?
YOU GUESSED IT- YOU, THE PARENT GET PUNISHED.
One way or the other- you, the parent get the hassle and the bill- or MORE ATTENTION from "the authorities" which you want like an ingrown toenail.
Anytime you have an opportunity to help get 900 numbers OUTLAWED, put in your support!
Call your telephone company TODAY and have them BLOCK 900 numbers on your phone line!
Absolutely nobody WANTS to call a 900 number!
For more information, please see-
National Crime Prevention Council-
Self, Home,
and Family:
Preventing Fraud
Federal Trade Commission
NEWEST
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FRAUD IS FOR 900-NUMBER LINES, WARNS FEDERAL TRADE
COMMISSION
The United States Postal Inspection Service
Congressional & Public Affairs Branch
Consumer
Fraud By Phone or Mail
About.com
Job
Fraud: Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs- 800-900 Phone Numbers
National Consumers League at the
Federal Trade Commission Pay-Per-Call Rulemaking Workshop- Remarks
of Susan Grant, Vice President of Public Policy
WHAT
ABOUT PAY-PER-CALL
And the latest news!
January 31, 2002-
Porn
Site, 900-Number Purveyors Settle FTC Fraud Charges
November 14, 2002
Miss
Cleo settles federal fraud suit for $5 million