news: Latest Ripoff -- NON-toll-free 800 numbers!!

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

Date: Fri, 14 Oct 1994 11:37:44 -0400
To: moredohrs () FARNSWORTH MIT EDU, tcfgie () weber ucsd edu


The so called MCI "CALL-INFO" rip-off has gotten a lot of advertising play
lately. It looks like a toll-free information number, since 800-555-1212 is
still such a thing.


Be wary from now on of 800 numbers. Many are not toll-free, and they can
charge you whatever they feel like. There is no ceiling!! And apparently
they don't have to warn you of the charge when you dial.


-rjs




> From: dave () westmark com (Dave Levenson)
> Subject: 800-CALL-INFO
> Organization: Westmark, Inc.
> Date: Thu, 13 Oct 1994 14:15:16 GMT
>
> This number has recently gotten a whole lot of prime-time radio and TV
> advertisement.
>
> This appears that the latest non-toll-free 800 trap.  Not only do they
> charge the directory-assistance information charge of $0.75 to the
> calling telephone number, they also offer to connect the caller with
> the number requested, and to charge the calling number for that call.
> The 0.75 charge is not mentioned at any time during a call for
> directory assistance.


> If you bought yourself (or your business) a toll-free number to encourage
> lots of prospective customers to give you a call, well, sorry about
> that.  The industry seems to have substantially lowered the value of
> such numbers by allowing others to make them non-toll-free, and thereby
> making callers suspicious of them.


> Date: Wed, 12 Oct 1994 09:35:02 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Les Reeves <lreeves () crl com>
> Subject: Testing 1-800-CALL-INFO
>
>
> MCI has announced a new service, 1-800 CALL INFO. It is touted as a
> nation-wide directory assistance service.  You are charged $0.75 per
> call for two searches.
>
> As a test, I called and asked for the number of a Patrick Townson in
> Chicago, IL.  I figured this was a good test since Pat has moved in
> the past year and I wasn't even sure he was still in Chicago proper.
>
> After giving the operator Pat's name and city, and waiting about 45
> seconds, I was told that there were two listings, one non-published
> and one unlisted.  Hmmm.  I asked for another name and the operator
> informed me that I had used up my two searches.
>
> 800 CALL INFO is eleven digits.  The extra O must be for overcharge!!
>
>
>  Les     lreeves () crl com       Atlanta,GA      404.874.7806
>
>
> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Yeah, well my non-published number is
> for bill collectors trying to get ahold of me and my unlisted number
> is for use when I call hot-chat lines.  <grin> ... Seriously, I am
> curious how they get their information and how they have it organized.
> If you asked for me in 'Chicago' (312) then I am not there, period
> however there is a Patrick Townsend (no relation, no connection) who
> by coincidence lived only a few blocks away from me when I was living
> in Rogers Park (Chicago neighborhood) until about a year ago. I am
> told he had to get his number non-pub out of self defense because so
> many people were calling him looking for me!  If you asked for me
> in 708 or "Chicago North Suburbs" then maybe the response would have
> been different.  I wonder if MCI is using any sort of legitimate data-
> base from the local telcos or if they have strung together some sort
> of outdated cross-reference books where half the entries are out of
> date and a couple years old.  Sounds like a ripoff to me; best limit
> use of the service to coin phones (Genuine Bell or COCOT, I don't care)
> and of course be prepared to deposit the 75 cents in coins when the
> operator requests it ... but then, how were *you* to know a call to
> an 800 number costs you money?   <grin> ... remember the astrologers
> a couple years ago operating on an 800 number and how Digest readers
> took a sudden interest in the subject?  PAT]