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Phone Handbook

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Phone Handbook THE PHONE HANDBOOK From the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General helping people afford their lives and live with dignity and respect www.ag.state.mn.us Table of Contents Local Service ............................................................................................... 3 Do I Have a Choice for My Local Telephone Service? .............................................................................................. 3 What is the Cost of Local Phone Service? ................................................................................................................ 3 How Can I Reduce the Price of My Local Phone Bill? .............................................................................................. 4 What are the Charges on My Telephone Bill and are They Required?..................................................................... 4 Is Inside Wire Insurance A Good Deal? ..................................................................................................................... 5 How Can I Prevent Disconnection of My Phone Service? ....................................................................................... 5 Is There Any Assistance Available to Help Pay for My Telephone Service? ........................................................... 5 Telephone Service for the Communication Impaired .............................................................................................. 6 What if There is a Delay In Obtaining My Telephone Service? ................................................................................ 6 Complaints ................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Long Distance ............................................................................................. 7 The Phone Handbook is intended to provide Minnesota consumers with the information they need to make informed Which Long Distance Company is the Best Company? ........................................................................................... 7 decisions in a rapidly changing telecommunications environment. State agency contact and other resource Do I Have to Sign Up With a Long Distance Carrier? ................................................................................................ 7 telephone numbers are listed on page 19. A Long Distance “Subscription” .......................................................................................................................... 7 How Can I Choose the Best Company? .................................................................................................................... 8 This brochure is intended to be used as a source for general information and is not provided as legal advice. Combined Billing or Not? .................................................................................................................................... 8 The Phone Handbook is written and published by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. Hidden Fees: A Word of Caution… ...................................................................................................................... 8 What are the Added Fees and Surcharges on My Long Distance Bill? ................................................................... 8 This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling (651) 296-3353 Alternative Methods for Making Long Distance Calls ............................................................................................. 9 (Twin Cities Calling Area), (800) 657-3787 (Outside the Twin Cities), or through the Minnesota Relay Service at Prepaid Calling Cards .......................................................................................................................................... 9 (800) 627-3529. Dial Around ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Wireless (or Cellular) Phones for Long Distance ............................................................................................ 10 The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. Voice Over Internet Services ............................................................................................................................. 10 Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1400, St. Paul, MN 55101 Phone Fraud ............................................................................................... 11 (651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities Calling Area) Protect Yourself From Fraud ................................................................................................................................... 11 (800) 657-3787 (Outside the Twin Cities) Why is My Phone Bill From a New Company? ........................................................................................................ 11 (800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay) What Should I Do if I Have Been Slammed? .................................................................................................... 11 www.ag.state.mn.us How Can I Prevent Slamming? ......................................................................................................................... 11 What Is Cramming? .................................................................................................................................................. 12 What Can I Do if I Get Crammed? ..................................................................................................................... 12 How Do I Prevent Cramming?........................................................................................................................... 12 What if I Get Billed for Unauthorized Calls to an Adult Entertainment Service? ........................................... 12 Charges for Downloadable Adult Access ........................................................................................................ 13 How Can I Prevent Pay-Per-Call Charges? ....................................................................................................... 13 Can I Block 1-900 Numbers? ............................................................................................................................ 13 OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL PHONE HANDBOOK 1 Making Calls Away From Home ............................................................13 Local Service Things to Consider When Evaluating Whether to Purchase Wireless (or Cellular) Service................................. 13 What Should I Know About Wireless Contracts?............................................................................................. 14 Do I Have a Choice for My Local Telephone Service? Where Will My Phone Work? ............................................................................................................................. 14 Minnesota customers can often choose between companies when signing up for local phone service, though some Are Rebates on Wireless Phones and Equipment a Good Deal? .................................................................... 15 areas of the state still have only one available provider. To find out if there is competition for telephone service in The Customer Service Representative I Talked to Wasn’t Helpful ................................................................. 15 your area, contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce maintains a searchable Why are There Charges on My Wireless Bill for Third-Party Services? .......................................................... 15 database of local service providers available in Minnesota cities, along with contact information for each provider. What are My Options When Using a Pay Phone? ................................................................................................... 15 This searchable database can be found at https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/eAssessment-public/company/ phoneServiceProvider.action. If you do not have Internet access, Internet access may be available at your nearest Telemarketing and Privacy ....................................................................16 public library. You may also contact the Department of Commerce’s Telecommunications Division by telephone at How Did They Get My Name? .................................................................................................................................. 16 (651) 539-1883 or by email at [email protected]. Will Placing My Name on the “Do Not Call List” Stop Telemarketing Calls? ................................................. 17 How Else Can I Stop Telemarketers from Calling? .......................................................................................... 17 Technological advances have also given customers increased options for their telecommunications services. Can I Use Caller ID to Stop Telemarketers? ..................................................................................................... 17 Consumers may now obtain service from the cable company, choose to use their wireless phones exclusively, Calls from Prerecorded Messages ......................................................................................................................... 18 and even place calls over their broadband
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