johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us (John R. Levine) (12/28/90)
I just got a particularly deceptive automatic solicitation for a 900
number. First it said that if the number that the computer read back
was my phone number and I could answer a trivia question I could be a
finalist in their fabulous Hawaiian sweepstakes. Then it read out a
phone number which, astonishingly enough, was the one they'd just
dialed, and in the event that I didn't know who was the co-host of
Wheel of Fortune, gave me three possible answers, the most intriguing
of which was Barbara Walters.
Then "to make sure we have a clear connection, call me back within the
next nine minutes at 900-990-xxxx" and repeated the 900 number a
zillion times. Then, obviously hoping I'd hang up, they started some
twangy Hawaiian music while blathering about what a swell time I'd
have in Hawaii.
Suspecting what was to come next, I got my pencil handy, in time for
them to say, as quickly as possible, that the call costs $9.95, no
call is needed to enter, I can write to:
Hawaiian Sweepstakes
316 California Avenue, Suite 987
Reno NV 89509
which is obviously a mail drop.
This seems to me grossly deceptive, its sole goal being to get people
to spend ten bucks making a phone call for which they receive
essentially no value, even assuming that the sweepstakes is real. (As
likely as not, it is hotel only, you have to get there yourself.) To
whom do I complain? The FCC? The LD carrier (who handles 900-990?)
Regards,
John Levine, johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us, {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl