THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, February 20, 1996             TAG: 9602200260
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: D2   EDITION: FINAL 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   29 lines

DIGEST

Did you pay for a sweepstakes - or for a prize program that offers ``unclaimed funds'' - via a 900 number? You might be eligible for $40 in free long-distance. A class-action lawsuit recently settled in Augusta, Ga., will allow consumers who paid for some 900-number calls to recoup their losses. Callers who paid for a sweepstakes, credit-card offer or prize promotion through a 900-number charge from Jan. 1, 1988, to Nov. 1, 1994, but didn't get a credit for that 900 charge from their phone company, can apply for $40 certificates from MCI. Callers who used their credit cards to pay for these 900 calls during the same time period may be eligible for $50. Just fill out a claim form. Consumers can obtain a form by calling (800) 871-5409, or (800) 922-1594, Ext. 145. The first is the number for the administrator of the settlement; the second is for the state's Department of Consumer Affairs. The program ends March 31. Any money left after that goes to charity. (Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News) by CNB