Prepaid Phone Cards

According to the International Prepaid Communications Association, Americans use prepaid phone cards to make more than eight billion calls annually.

Prepaid Benefits

No extras--Sam Simon, with the Telecommunications Research and Action Center, or TRAC, points out that with prepaid cards, "You don't have to sign up or pre-subscribe to a company. You're not going to have as many of the add-on fees." Simon adds, "If you buy your prepaid phone card and you pay for five cents a minute if that's the rate when you call, that's all you pay. You won't be paying a universal service charge, a state recess tax." It also doesn't lock you in with a cellular phone company looking for a long-term agreement.

Convenience -- You can dial long distance from anywhere, and know exactly what you'll be paying. You won't have to worry about another company's rates and how they might surprise you when you receive your bill.

Options -- You can buy as little or as much time on a card as you need. If you tend to make lots of short calls, you'll want to make sure you choose a phone card that doesn't charge a per-call fee. That could easily add a 50-cent surcharge onto every call you make, which quickly wipes out any discounts you have.

If you don't like the idea of carrying a phone card and punching in all those extra digits, there are other options.

SAVINGS SOLUTIONS

Start by identifying your calling habits. Know when you're likely to make long distance calls (days and times) and for how long they generally last.

Shop around for a calling plan that suits your calling habits.
>Compare rates per minute, rates during the times you call, rates in-state vs. out-of-state, the basic cost for the service (most long distance plans charge a basic fee for offering discounted minutes), and any other fees.
> Don't forget to ask about international rates if you call outside the US.

Prepare to switch carriers.
> Your long-distance provider wants to keep you as a customer. Telling it you're willing to switch carriers may get you a better deal.
> If you've done your homework, you can cite examples of cheaper prices offered by competitors. Chances are, your current company will offer you some kind of discount to keep you.

Explore cell phone options.
> Have a cell phone? Some cellular companies offer great deals on long-distance calls. You might want to investigate.
> Note: Be sure you understand any restrictions that could increase the cost of calling. There may be several.

BRIGHT IDEA!
Language Barrier: What are all those phone fees on your bill? If you don't know what a "universal connectivity charge" is, how do you know what you're paying for? Understanding the terms can help you identify billing problems and maybe give you some peace of mind. Click here for the FCC's easy-to-understand guide to phone bill lingo and charges. Just go to the section called ‘Understanding your phone bill'.

Did You Know?
"Slamming" or "cramming" is a common crime. That's when unscrupulous companies bill your phone number for goods or services you never ordered. Crammers often go undetected by submitting small charges (like $2) to thousands of customers. Look for these and other unauthorized charges on every bill.
FCC

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