Where to get a 900 number

Under the FCC regulations, any interstate service described in parts A and B can be offered only through phone numbers beginning with a service access code.

Pay-per-call programs available through local seven-digit numbers such as those with a or prefix are not covered by the FTC Number Rule. It also applies in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. The Rule does not apply when there is a "presubscription" agreement between the caller and the information provider.

This contractual agreement must exist before the call is made. While the agreement does not have to be in writing, the consumer must be told specific information before the agreement can be considered valid. The service provider must:. Note : The consumer must agree to use the service on the terms and conditions disclosed by the information provider.

In addition, any such agreement must meet the general principles of contract law. For example, if the consumer making the agreement is a minor, the "contract" would be void because a minor is not capable of entering a contract. A presubscription agreement can be established during a call to an number; however, the caller could not then be transferred to a pay-per-call service.

Presubscription agreements cannot be established during number calls. Calls that are charged to a credit or charge card number are not subject to the requirements of the Number Rule if the credit or charge card is subject to the dispute-resolution requirements of the Fair Credit Billing Act and the Truth in Lending Act TILA. Most credit and charge cards are subject to the TILA. However, any credit card used primarily for business or commercial purposes is exempt from the TILA.

In addition, a telephone calling card used to charge long-distance phone calls is exempt because it is issued by a public utility and the charges for service are filed with a government agency.

However, a telephone calling card used to charge calls to pay-per-call services might be subject to the dispute-resolution procedures of the TILA to the extent that charges for pay-per-call services are not filed with or regulated by a government agency. All advertisements for pay-per-call services must contain a cost disclosure. Additional ad disclosures are required for services that:. Some requirements apply to all disclosures to ensure that they are clear and conspicuous.

In addition, the rule has specific requirements for how each of the disclosures must be presented. The following apply to all disclosures.

The disclosures must be made in the same language that is used principally in the advertisement. If the ad is in Spanish, the disclosures also must be in Spanish. Video and print disclosures must be in a color or shade that readily contrasts with the ad's background. This ensures that the disclosures can be seen easily by the viewer or reader. In print ads, disclosures must be parallel with the base of the ad. They cannot be placed at a slant so that the reader must turn the page sideways.

In TV and radio ads and in preambles, audio disclosures must be delivered in a slow and deliberate manner and at a reasonably understandable volume so that they will be heard and understood by the audience.

They cannot be spoken any faster than the rate principally used in the ad or the pay-per-call service. The volume must be at a level that will be heard by the audience and no lower than the volume principally used in the ad or the pay-per-call service. The ad cannot contain anything that contradicts or undermines the required information.

Any audio, video, or print technique that detracts significantly from the message of the disclosures cannot be used. For example, if something flashes on the TV screen at the same time that a disclosure is displayed or delivered by voice, that probably would detract significantly from the disclosure message. In "infomercials" program-length commercials that last 15 minutes or longer , the disclosures must be made at least three times, near the beginning, middle, and end of the commercial.

This applies unless more frequent disclosure is otherwise specified in another section of the rule. All ads for pay-per-call services must disclose the cost of the call. The specific requirements for this disclosure depend upon how the call is billed.

If the call is billed on a time-sensitive basis, the ad must state the cost per minute and any minimum charge. The ad also must state the maximum charge, if the program's length can be determined in advance. The total must be stated even though a caller might hang up without listening to the complete program. This requirement does not apply to programs of undetermined length, such as live conversations or programs where the caller must enter information or select options.

If the call is billed on a variable rate basis where the caller may choose different options that carry different charges , the ad must state the cost of the initial portion of the call where the various options are presented , any minimum charges, and the range of rates that may apply depending on the options chosen by the caller. The ad must disclose any other fees that will be charged for the service.

For example, if there is an additional charge for "computer time," that charge must be disclosed. If there is a charge for mailing printed information that the consumer is supposed to receive by calling the number, that charge must be disclosed. If the consumer must make multiple calls to the same or a different number to receive the advertised service, those charges also must be disclosed.

In other words, consumers must be told all of the relevant charges for the information or service they are supposed to receive by calling the number. There cannot be any hidden or undisclosed charges. If the caller may be transferred to another pay-per-call service, the ad must disclose the cost of that call as well. Cost disclosures must be made in the following manner in addition to complying with the general disclosure requirements that are listed earlier.

A video cost disclosure in Arabic numerals must appear adjacent to above, below, or next to each video presentation of the number. If the ad displays more than one number with the same cost, the disclosure need only appear adjacent to the largest number. Each letter or numeral of the cost disclosure must be at least one-half the size of the number adjacent to it.

The video cost disclosure must remain on the screen as long as the number appears on the screen. There must be at least one audio disclosure of the cost, and it must be given simultaneously with a video cost disclosure. The audio disclosure is not necessary if the length of the ad is 15 seconds or less and the number is not stated in the audio portion; or if the number or any other information about the pay-per-call service is not presented by audio—that is, the ad is solely video, and any accompanying sound is unrelated to the pay-per-call ad.

If the number is given only in the audio portion of the ad and not presented visually, the cost must be stated immediately following the first and last delivery of the number. However, if such an ad is a program-length commercial lasting 15 minutes or longer , the cost must be stated immediately following each delivery of the number. The cost disclosure must be placed adjacent to above, below, or next to each presentation of the number.

However, if the ad displays more than one number with the same cost, the disclosure need only appear adjacent to the largest number. However, in certain kinds of advertisements that necessarily use small type, such as classified ads or matchbook covers, a disclosure that is only one-half the size of the number might be illegible. In such cases, the cost disclosure must be larger—perhaps even the same size as the number—to be clear and conspicuous to the reader.

The cost disclosure must be made at least once, immediately following the first delivery of the number. In an infomercial, the cost must be stated each time the number is announced. Certain disclosures are required in pay-per-call service advertisements that promote sweepstakes or games of chance. They include the following. The odds of winning any prize, award, service, or product whether at no cost or at a reduced cost must be stated in the advertisement.

If the odds cannot be calculated in advance, the ad must disclose the factors that will determine the odds of winning. For example, if the odds of winning depend upon the number of entries to the sweepstakes or game, the ad may simply state that. The advertisement or preamble must state that consumers do not have to call the pay-per-call number to enter the sweepstakes or game. A free method of entry is needed to avoid conducting an illegal lottery.

The ad or preamble must say there is a free method of entering the sweepstakes or game. It must instruct callers on how to enter free of charge or where they can write or call for that information. The rule does not require that the ad describe or characterize the prize, award, service or product.

However, if the ad provides a description, it must be truthful and accurate. For example, the ad should not state that the prize is a "free Hawaiian vacation," if the package only includes free lodging at a hotel and the winner must pay air fare, meals, or any other expenses. The sweepstakes disclosures must be made in the following manner in addition to complying with the general requirements for all disclosures. The required disclosures may be made in either the audio or the video portion of the ad.

If the disclosures are made in the video portion, they must appear on the screen in sufficient size and for sufficient time to allow consumers to read and comprehend the information. In other words, the information cannot flash by so quickly that the average viewer will not have time to read it.

In addition, the type must be large enough so that the average person can read it without difficulty. The disclosures must be sufficiently large and prominent that they will be noticed, read, and understood by the average reader. They must be located in a place in the ad where they are likely to be noticed. They cannot be buried in a fine-print footnote that is not likely to be noticed by anyone other than the most careful and diligent reader.

For radio ads, there are no additional requirements beyond those for language, volume, and rate of speaking listed under general disclosure requirements. This disclosure requirement applies if the pay-per-call service provides information on a federal program, but the service is not affiliated with a federal agency. Ads for such programs must disclose that the service is not authorized, endorsed, or approved by any federal agency.

The disclosure is required if the pay-per-call program gives any appearance of federal government affiliation. For example, the disclosure must be made if the program—or its advertising—uses a seal, insignia, trade name, brand name, or any term or symbol that could imply a connection with or approval by the federal government.

If the program makes any significant use of information about or from a federal program, the disclosure must be given. For example, if the program gives information about Social Security or Medicare benefits, the disclosure would be required. If the program makes only incidental use of a federal statistic, the disclosure is not required. For example, an incidental reference to population figures obtained from the U.

Census Bureau would not, by itself, trigger a need for the disclosure. The federal programs disclosure must be made in the following manner in addition to complying with the general requirements for all disclosures.

The required disclosure may be made in either the audio or the video portion of the ad. If the disclosure is made in the video portion, it must appear on the screen in sufficient size and for sufficient time to allow consumers to read and comprehend the information.

In addition, the type must be adequately large so that the average person can read it without difficulty. The disclosure must begin within the first 15 seconds of the ad.

The disclosure must be sufficiently large and prominent that it will be noticed, read, and understood by the average reader. It must appear in the top one-third of the ad. It cannot be buried in a fine-print footnote that is not likely to be noticed by anyone other than the most careful and diligent reader.

Pay-per-call services cannot be directed to children under 12, unless the service is a "bona fide educational service. A bona fide educational service provides information or instruction that is related to education, subjects of academic study, or other related areas of school study. Bona fide educational services are narrow exceptions to the prohibition against directing number services to children under The pay-per-call service must be truly educational in nature to meet this exception.

For example, a "homework-helper" line, where a child might get help with a homework question or problem, is the kind of service that might be permitted under the rule. Of course, such services must be staffed with persons qualified to answer the variety of questions that might arise in typical elementary school homework assignments. On the other hand, a service that is primarily entertainment—but has an incidental educational component—is not allowed under the exception. For example, some services might offer children the opportunity to talk with, or listen to a message from, a popular cartoon character or TV star.

These would not be considered bona fide educational services merely because they include some factual information in the program. A quiz program, inducing children to call and answer questions in order to receive a prize, probably would not be considered a bona fide educational service merely because some of the questions pertain to areas that might be studied in elementary school.

The composition of the audience or readership will be determined by existing data. These factors involve both the content and the placement of the ad.

They include whether the ad is found:. The pay-per-call service itself will be considered directed to children under 12 if it is advertised in the manner described above. Also, the Commission will look at the content of the pay-per-call program, whether it uses themes, characters, language, featured personalities, or anything else that is likely to appeal primarily to children.

Under the Rule, it is permissible to direct pay-per-call services to children between the ages of 12 and Ads directed primarily to those under 18 must have a disclosure that individuals under 18 need a parent or guardian's permission to call a pay-per-call number. The parental permission disclosure must be made in the following manner in addition to complying with general requirements for all disclosures. Each letter or numeral of the disclosure must be at least one-half the size of the largest number.

The video disclosure must remain on the screen for sufficient time to allow viewers to read and understand the message. There must be at least one audio disclosure given simultaneously with a video disclosure. The audio disclosure is not necessary if the length of the ad is 15 seconds or less and the number is not stated in the audio portion; or if the number or any other information about the pay-per-call service is not presented by audio— that is, the ad is solely video, and any accompanying sound is unrelated to the pay-per-call ad.

When one-half the size of the number would be too small to be legible, such as in classified ads, the disclosure must be in a type size that is large enough to be read, perhaps even the same size as the number. There are no additional requirements beyond the general requirements for language, volume, and rate of speaking, listed under the general disclosure requirements.

These factors are similar to those identifying an ad directed to children under The factors involve both the content and the placement of the ad. The rule does not require any particular language for this disclosure. However, the ad must clearly convey the message that parental permission is required for anyone under 18 to call the number.

A phrase such as "must be 18 to call" would not be sufficient. If you are uncertain whether the disclosure is necessary in a particular ad, it would be sensible to include it. A pay-per-call service must be preceded by a preamble, an introductory message for which the caller cannot be charged. The preamble must disclose certain information:.

See synonyms for number on Thesaurus. We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms. Origin of number First recorded in — Gulliver's Travels Jonathan Swift. Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. January, Many number businesses are adult-driven services such as escort and dating services. Others are psychic services or even technical support services talking you through fragmenting a computer.

The services dictate the prices charged. Start small and grow the business as your customer base dictates. Develop a business model of services you will provide on the number line. Write a business plan that discusses the target market, how you will advertise and the costs associated with starting and operating the business. Establish the business entity by filing articles of incorporation or articles of organization with the secretary of state.

Obtain a Tax Identification Number as well as business license and permits required in your state.