Washington, DC  -- Today the Telecommunications Research & Action Center (TRAC) issued a consumer alert and a new consumer guide called Using Telephone Directory Assistance Services designed to help consumers not get ripped off by dramatic changes in how directory assistance (DA) is priced and offered.

"It used to be that 411 meant local directory assistance and 1-(area code)-555-1212 meant long distance directory assistance. Not so any more," said Samuel A. Simon, Chairman of TRAC's board. "In most parts of the country today 411, 555-1212 and other services compete with each other and provide numbers for both local and long distance service. As a result, if consumers are not careful, they could end up paying as much as six times more than they need to. Some consumers are also paying for DA calls from AT&T and MCI, when the same calls could be free through the local company," he warned.

Using Telephone Directory Assistance Services compares rates for directory assistance in eight major U.S. cities. For example, TRAC found that in Los Angeles, consumers who make 10 local directory assistance calls a month will pay $1.25 if they use 411, $9.50 if they use AT&T 00 Info and $9.99 if they use MCI's 10-10-9000.

00 Info and 10-10-9000 are two new directory assistance programs offered by AT&T and MCI, respectively. AT&T 00 Info lets AT&T long distance customers have easy access to directory assistance by dialing only one set of numbers. AT&T customers get up to two numbers per call and the cost is $.95 per call (even if only one number is given). MCI's new program, 10-10-9000, is available to all consumers who use phones not blocked from 10-10 access, and it costs $.99 for up to two numbers per call (even if only one number is given).

"Although using 00 Info and 10-10-9000 costs about the same as using other long distance directory assistance services, consumers should be aware that using these services for only one local number could cost consumers anywhere from $1.00 to $8.65 more than if they use 411," warned Simon. "It almost never makes sense to use 00 Info or 10-10-9000 for local directory assistance."

Using Telephone Directory Assistance Services helps consumers work through the new directory assistance options and tells them how to save money. TRAC provides helpful tips from how consumers can find out rates for local and long distance directory assistance to how they can obtain credit for receiving erroneous information from directory assistance. The guide also tells consumers how to obtain telephone and address information for free through the Internet.

"The informed consumer can easily save money when it comes to directory assistance," said Simon. "It takes a couple of minutes to learn about the changes and new options, but it will be well worth it for people who use directory assistance."

TRAC is the nation's leading independent, non-profit group focusing on consumer education in telecommunications. TRAC produces the Tele-TipsTM Chart, the only independent source for information on long distance calling plans. TRAC is a tax-exempt consumer organization that works to help consumers make informed decisions regarding their long distance options. TRAC also provides an internet-based long distance call comparison tool called the WebPricer on the TRAC web site.

Using Telephone Directory Assistance may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed, business sized envelope and a $1.00 check to TRAC at P.O. Box 27279, Washington, DC 20005. Members of the press can contact Becky Sachs at the number above for a free copy.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

John Breyault, TRAC, johnb@trac.org, 202-263-2943

ABOUT TRAC:

The Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC), founded in 1983, is a non-profit membership organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the interests of residential telecommunications customers. TRAC staff researches telecommunications issues and publishes rate comparisons to help consumers make informed decisions regarding their long distance and local phone service options. TRAC can be found on the web at http://www.trac.org.