Let the caller beware.

Let the caller beware.

Sprint/Centel-Virginia is warning telephone users about calls that may cost a lot more than expected. Callers who fail td understand or are misled about the true cost of services using “900,” “700” and even “800” numbers may be surprised by large telephone bills.

Companies lease these numbers from telephone companies in order to provide entertainment and information services. Sprint/Centel receives only a small charge per-minute from any service provider it carries, and does not share in any excessive profits.

“We want people to understand how much these services charge,” said Kim Brooks, Sprint/Centel’s communications coordinator. “Then, they can take steps to manage their use of these telephone services.”

Services that use “900” numbers are the most widely known of those that can lead to high telephone bills. Offering features ranging from sports information to explicit pornography, these services urge people to call long-distance numbers that begin with “900,” usually charging $2 to $5 for each minute that the caller is on-line.

some services are beginning to use “700” numbers. Callers who dial a service’s number are asked to accept a PIN (personal identification number) in order to set up an account.

“Although use of ‘700’ numbers for pay-call information and entertainment lines is relatively new, complaints have already surfaced,” Ms. Brooks said. “There have been instances of enormous charges tied to ‘700’ number services.”

Callers even need to be cautious of “800” numbers, which have traditionally been toll-free. Most are still free, but some are now pay-call services in disguise.

WCDS Pupils

Win Writing

Awards

WCDS students participated in the Holiday Writing Contest sponsored by the Samuels Public Library and the Royal Oak Bookshop. Benjamin Luke won first place and Taylor Miller won second place among first graders. Christina Luke won second place for fifth graders. Andrew Inglis won first place among tenth graders.

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