1-900
Pay-per-minute line
1-900 refers to a premium-rate telephone number prefix in North America, where callers pay per-minute charges beyond standard rates.
These numbers became notorious in the 1980s and 1990s for psychic hotlines, phone sex services, and other entertainment or information lines.
The format allowed businesses to monetize calls directly, with charges appearing on the caller's phone bill.
I ran up a huge bill calling those 1-900 numbers as a teenager.
Direct emergency phone connection
- telephoneVoice communication device
- dialGraduated circular indicator
- operatorOne who works machinery
- callContact by phone
number · line · information · directory · customer service · interactive · telephony · horoscope
Clearly and directly expressed
- phone sexErotic conversation by call
- adult entertainmentSexually explicit media
- late-nightOccurring after dark
- disclaimerStatement denying responsibility
age verification · risqué · innuendo · anonymous · discreet · fantasy · after-hours
Intentional criminal trickery
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- predatoryExploiting the vulnerable
- rip-offGrossly overpriced exchange
overcharge · shady · gullibility · vulnerable · fine print · hidden fees · misleading · complaint
Fee for passage
- chargeCost or accusation
- feePayment for service
- billingCharging for services rendered
- surchargeExtra fee added
tariff · expensive · revenue · transaction · long-distance · carrier · collect call · subscription
hotline
Direct emergency phone connection
call · number · line · information · directory · customer service · interactive · telephony · horoscope · chat line
explicit
Clearly and directly expressed
- phone sexErotic conversation by call
- adult entertainmentSexually explicit media
- late-nightOccurring after dark
disclaimer · age verification · risqué · innuendo · anonymous · discreet · fantasy · after-hours
fraud
Intentional criminal trickery
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- predatoryExploiting the vulnerable
rip-off · overcharge · shady · gullibility · vulnerable · fine print · hidden fees · misleading · complaint · warning
toll
Fee for passage
surcharge · tariff · expensive · revenue · transaction · long-distance · carrier · collect call · subscription · cost
1-9001-800
Free-call phone prefix
toll-free · 800 number · free call · freephone · collect call
Contact for company assistance
helpline · crisis hotline · business line · emergency services · 911
1-9001-800
Free-call phone prefix
helpline · hotline · customer service line · emergency line · 911