Abstract: A method for a service provider to contact a merchant or a customer (requester) is provided. A special card number (e.g., credit card number, debit card number and ATM card number) to a requester. The card number has a set of digits referencing a call center (130) of a service provider. When a requester requests services, the card number and the requester's contact number is sent to a card processing facility (118). The facility (118) notifies the call center (130) of this card number and contact number. The call center (130) obtains information related to this card number (e.g., name and address of the holder) and assigns an agent to contact the requester using the contact number. As a result, the agent can reach the customer and/or merchant and handle complex transactions. Alternatively, the call center (130) can use an automatic outbound calling device to contact the requester automatically, e.g., to deliver a prerecorded announcement.