Misleading Ads Add Up To Hefty Phone Bill

Carlos Aguyera thought he was doing an unemployed friend a favor when he spotted an ad in a local Spanish newspaper, El Especialito, advertising for jobs. The contact number had a 718 area code but Aguyera, who works at a laundromat in Corona, was stunned when he found out that he had been charged $200 for placing a call inquiring about employment for his friend.
Aguyera isnt the only one who has been scammed out of a hefty sum said Assemblyman Jose Peralta. "So far, over 30 people have called me to complain and now Im getting calls from outside my district as well," said Peralta, who has not only been fielding calls from Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights, but Jamaica, Long Island City and Astoria, as well.
Not only are false job ads being placed in local newspapers, but "For Rent" signs are being posted onto lamp posts and trees across northwest Queens including Roosevelt Avenue and Junction Boulevard, 34th Avenue between 104th and Junction Boulevard and 37th Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets, said Peralta. It remains unclear whether there is a link between the job ads and the rent signs.
These signs, posted by a company that calls itself New York Rental Management Associates include two 718 numbers. When people call those numbers, a voice recording tells them to call another local number, which really is a 900 number. Consumers are being charged anywhere from $5 to $26 per minute for the phone call.
Peralta is encouraging anyone who has been charged unfairly to fill out a complaint form in his office provided by Attorney General Eliot Spitzers office. Spitzer is currently investigating the case, said Peralta.
The deceitful advertising targets mainly immigrants who are searching for jobs or housing, said Richard Cicire, chairman of Community Board 3. "Theyre taking advantage of these working families," said Cicire. He mentioned that many three-family apartments are being constructed around 34th Avenue and 108th Street in Jackson Heights and he doesnt think its a coincidence that many of the "For Rent" signs are being posted in the same area. "I think they use the new housing as a lure to get people to call the numbers," he said.
The two local phone numbers which have been posted on white signs with red lettering are: (718) 482-3131 and (718) 390-7229. The latter phone number instructs callers in English to call an "apartment listing hotline" which is really a 900 number. To lodge a complaint, or for more information, call Peraltas office at (718) 458-5367.