Directory Assistance Options Go Beyond "411" - Traditional directory assistance (DA) services like local and national "411" service have seen an explosion in competition in recent years. From competitive DA services to free Internet Yellow and White Pages, consumers have many choices when they are trying to find a number. There are many useful ways that consumers can save when using DA services. For example, consumers looking for a local number will typically save by using local "411" instead of "00". Also, when using national DA services for numbers outside of consumers' local calling area, consumers should generally refuse the operator's offer to connect the call "at no extra fee." While there will not be a fee for the connection, the per-minute rate for the call will usually be charged at the carrier's highest rate (32¢ per-minute or more for some carriers). Consumers with internet access may want to try using the Net first before using a fee-based DA service. Often the desired number can be tracked down for free via online Yellow or White Pages. TRAC offers a TeleTips Consumer Guide to Telephone Directory Assistance Services which can help consumers make sense of the often confusing array of options available for DA services. The guide is available for purchase by clicking here(iii).
WIRELESS WATCH
Spam Text Messages Could Cost Wireless Phone Users - As consumers adopt next-generation wireless phones which include many advanced features, spammers are finding a new way peddle their wares: spam text-messsaging. While the phenomenon hasn't reached the proportions of e-mail spam yet, it is already a frustratingly common occurrence for wireless phone users in other countries, especially Japan and the UK. Consumers who receive spam text messages may want to contact their wireless carrier to determine what can be done to block spam messages and also whether they are charged for receiving unsolicited spam text messages. With text messages costing anywhere from 2¢-10¢ to receive, not to mention the minutes used to view and delete them, a flurry of spam text messages could quickly become expensive for users. Consumers should never send a text message reply to wireless spam nor should they call numbers listed in spam messages, even if the message promises to "remove you from their list" if you call.
Call Forwarding Options May Be Useful - Consumers who have poor wireless reception in their homes or offices may find that forwarding their wireless phone calls to a landline phone can be a useful solution. Subscribers who wish to use this service should check with their carrier to see if forwarded calls count against their monthly minute limits, however. Cingular Wireless users have a helpful alternative in Cingular's FastForward service. Forwarded calls taken on the landline phone with FastForward don't count against a user's monthly minute limit. The advantage of this service is that users who receive a lot of calls on their wireless phone while they're at home or at the office can have those calls forwarded to their landline phone and not use up their wireless minutes. At $39.99 for the FastForward cradle and $2.99 per month for the service, FastForward isn't cheap, but some users may find that saves them money on overage charges at the end of the month.
SCAM WATCH
Fight Back Against Junk Faxes - Despite federal laws prohibiting unsolicited faxes from being sent to homes and businesses, junk faxes continue to be a frustrating part of owning a fax machine; tying up phone lines and costing users in terms of toner and paper. Unfortunately, enforcement of a provision of the 1991 Telephone Consumer Protection Act that would have required marketers to get written permission from recipients before faxing unsolicited ads that was slated to go in to effect in August 2003 has been delayed by the FCC until January 2005. In the meantime, consumers may want to consider holding on to junk faxes and filing a complaint with the FCC online(iv) or by calling the FCC's Consumer Center at (888) CALL-FCC. Consumers can also contact their state consumer protection office or state Attorney General to file a complaint.
INTERESTING LINKS
FCC Main Page - http://www.fcc.gov
FCC Complaint Form - http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475.cfm
List of State Regulatory Commissions - http://www.naruc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=15
What do you think? Got a tip you want to share? Nominate your "Scam of the Week" and your "Tip of the Week" - If we select your submission, we'll give you a one-year free membership in TRAC and acknowledge your contribution by name in TRACNotes. Send an e-mail to trac@trac.org to submit your ideas!
©2004 Telecommunications Research and Action Center. TRAC grants unlimited rights to reproduce TRACNotes or any information contained in it provided attribution is given as follows: "Source:Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org"
Endnotes
