STEVEH@MC.LCS.MIT.EDU ("Stephen C. Hill") (02/03/86)
I am currently at a small standstill with my LOC. For three of the last four months, I have been getting many 900 number calls billed to me. They are plainly marked as having come from a local hotel's main number. (The calls are all to sports lines, so would not be surprised to learn that bookmaking is taking place.) I have called the LOC each month and they have just told me to remove the calls from my total (one fellow DID mention that I should remember to deduct $nn for the rebated taxes.) That's fine, but I really would like to understand how this scam happens. Is there anything that the list can suggest to remedy the situation, short of removing my ability (as well as their's) to place third party calls to my number? The bogus bill is not over $20/month yet, but it is growing exponentially.
JSOL%BUCS20%bostonu.CSNET@CSNET-RELAY.ARPA (Jon Solomon) (02/04/86)
As far as I know, you are not supposed to be able to third party bill a 900 number. Around here (boston and suburbs), 900 service doesn't work from coin phones or charge-a-calls and 0-900-xxx-xxxx doesn't work at all from anywhere. You should be able to point this out to the LOC and explain that those calls shouldn't be on your bill at all. Additionally, in most states calls from "non secure" (i.e. non public) lines require verification before a call can be third-partied. Do you have a calling card? You might consider changing the number on your card. Another option is to change your number altogether though that's a bit drastic. If it were me and it weren't happening on my main incoming line, I would change the number. The main line is sort of nice (it spells out my name), so I might be more reluctant to change that number. Interesting. --JSol