
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 27, 1990                   TAG: 9006050434
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: associated press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Medium

RIPOFFS BY PHONE THRIVING

Just when consumers were wising up to bait-and-switch ads and time-share rip-offs, technology gave unscrupulous entrepreneurs a new weapon: the 900 telephone number.

The opportunity to prey upon naive consumers has not escaped the notice of increasingly sophisticated schemers in Virginia, officials at the state Office of Consumer Affairs say.

"When we build a better mouse-trap, the rascals genetically engineer a better mouse," said A.E. Hantwerker, manager of the agency's office of investigations.

Betty Blakemore, director of the agency, said almost anyone can get a 900 number and charge callers as much as they want. She said many Virginians confuse these numbers and similar 700 numbers with the toll-free 800 numbers.

"One of the newest scams involves the use of 900 numbers," Blakemore said. Typically, the consumer will receive a card or brochure saying he has won a prize. The card will list a 900 number to call to find out which prize the consumer has won.

The cost of the phone call, usually $9, is disclosed in fine print. The charge appears on the caller's bill.

Blakemore said a state investigator called the number on one of the brochures and was "mysteriously disconnected" after the call was answered. the investigator called back and was asked for a credit card number.

"They said the credit card number was necessary to verify the prize," Blakemore said. When we refused to give the credit card number, they hung up. But we had called twice, so they still made their $18.

Blakemore said she was not sure what the prize-giver would have done with the credit card number. However, she said people who have given credit card numbers over the phone in other circumstances have been billed for trips and merchendise they did not order.

Hantwerker said consumers should also be aware of "telephone dating services."

"There was a young man in Northern Virginia who was mentally and physically handicapped as a result of an automobile accident, and he began using a 900 number to get in on a party-line type conversation with young women," Hantwerker said.

"Before too long, he ran up a $3,900 bill. He couldn't pay it, and the phone company cut off his service."

The Office of Consumer Affairs was able to get the bill canceled and the phone service restored.

by CNB