Sprint settlement seekers get sexy restitution

Jim Walsh | (Cherry Hill, N.J.) Courier-Post

TRENTON, N.J. – In a sultry greeting on a telephone sex-line, a young woman coos, "You've definitely come to the right place."

But the connection couldn't have been more wrong for callers seeking refunds from a cellphone service, who were inadvertently directed to the sex line by New Jersey officials for more than 24 hours.

According to the state Attorney General's Office, "a simple typo" in a press release Tuesday transposed two digits in a toll-free phone number intended for use by Sprint customers. The error was fixed Wednesday afternoon, after an inquiry from the Courier-Post.

The correct number — 877-389-8787 — offers information on a $68 million payment by Sprint to settle allegations of billing abuse. Sprint was accused of "cramming," or charging cellphone users for unauthorized services like horoscopes.

"Thank you for calling the Sprint Government Restitution Helpline," an automated voice says in its greeting.

The chat line, in contrast, takes a much more personal tone.

"Looking for a good time, sexy?" two young women moan in unison.

"Want to get kinky one on one," asks one woman. "Or do you want to meet my girlfriends in the orgy room?" suggests the other.

Their chat ends with billing information, just in case Sprint customers are willing to approve that charge.