# Fowarding an incoming call in the US to a 900 number - possible?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fowarding-an-incoming-call-in-the-us-to-a-900-number-possible/568874>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 25, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fowarding-an-incoming-call-in-the-us-to-a-900-number-possible/568874 "2011-01-25T03:09:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fowarding-an-incoming-call-in-the-us-to-a-900-number-possible/568874/1 "2011-01-25T03:09:35Z")

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In this thread, [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-590001.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-590001.html) , one poster hypothesizes that part of the scam could be to entice the victim to call a toll free number that is then transferred to a 900 number.

Years ago, I heard or read some warning about being transferred to a 900 number.

Is this technologically possible today, and has it ever been? I’m having a hard time believing that a callee can arbitrarily transfer the caller to a pay-per-call number without the caller’s knowledge in such a way that the caller ends up getting the bill. If this was ever possible, it would seem so ripe for abuse and fraud that the phone companies (or Phone Company, back then), would have fixed it up real fast.

This question has nothing to do with whether such a transfer would constitute Wire Fraud, Theft of Services, Unauthorized Use of a Telecommunications System, or any other offense.

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**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fowarding-an-incoming-call-in-the-us-to-a-900-number-possible/568874/2 "2011-12-13T22:02:56Z")

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I’m bumping this old thread after reading another thread here about phone number shenanigans.

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**Author:** ![TheUthaBrutha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@TheUthaBrutha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheUthaBrutha)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fowarding-an-incoming-call-in-the-us-to-a-900-number-possible/568874/3 "2011-12-14T00:03:18Z")

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It seems to be possible because it’s specifically forbidden by law

> [@](#):
>
> The Use of 800 Numbers
> 
> The 900-Number Rule prohibits the use of an 800 number (or any other number advertised as, or widely understood to be, toll-free) for pay-per-call services. Specifically, this means the following.
> 
> Anyone calling an 800 number cannot be charged simply for completing the call.
> 
> An 800-number call cannot be transferred to, or connected to, a pay-per-call service.
> 
> A consumer calling an 800 number cannot be charged for information conveyed during the call, unless there is a presubscription agreement with the information provider. The agreement must be established before the call to the 800 number is placed, and it would have to meet all of the requirements listed in Who Must Comply with the FTC Rule. If a consumer disputes that such an agreement exists, the burden is upon the service provider to establish that there is a valid agreement.
> 
> Anyone calling an 800 number cannot be called back collect to be offered audio or data information services, simultaneous voice conversation services, or products.
> 
> Note: FCC regulations prohibit common carriers from interstate transmission of, or billing for, any service that is billed to the subscriber on a collect basis at a rate greater than—or in addition to—the tariffed rate for transmission of the call. For any collect information services to be billed to the subscriber at a tariffed rate, the called party must take affirmative action indicating acceptance of the charges for the collect service.

See Federal Trade Commission site for full details

> **[Complying with the 900 Number Rule](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-900-number-rule)**
>
> Introduction Who Must Comply with the FTC Rule Advertising a Pay-Per-Call Service Advertising to Children The Preamble Other Provisions of the Rule Billing and Collection for Pay-Per-Call