For A Good Time, Call 1-900-

"For A Good Time, Call 1-900-?"

Credit Card claim processors will be happy to know that some action is due on the "900" number scams. Consumers call a phone number beginning with "900" (or, in at least one scam, "976") and often have to give their credit card numbers to receive the services offered at that number. Frequently the services or goods are not at all what is offered, or are inferior to what has been advertised, and the customer disputes the charge.

U.S. Sprint has now placed restrictions on the new 900 number program, and will no longer allow the 900 service for "romance" lines, "job" lines, or "information to obtain credit card" lines. They also have placed a $15 cap per call on all 900 lines.

Some of the 900 number lines are perfectly legitimate, and will let you know immediately what the cost per minute for the call will be as well as offering a full refund. Three of the most respectable of the 900 series are Planned Parenthood, the Washington Post, and the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation numbers.

Congress is looking at ways to clean up the "900 line" industry, and that should result in fewer claims by disgruntled credit card customers. Might not be as much fun for someone who is looking for a "good time", but, hey?you can't have everything.

Copyright © 1991 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 2, No. 10, 11/91