When you buy a pre-paid phone card, it means you are paying in advance for telephone calling time. The cards generally cost from $2 to $20 for local or long-distance calling time; the rate charged per minute determines the amount of calling time you’re buying.
Pre-paid phone cards can be very convenient. But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the nation’s telecommunications agency, caution that some pre-paid phone cards have hidden costs or other problems, like bad connections, access numbers that are almost always busy, and personal identification numbers (PINs) that don’t work.
Some calling cards come with fees that can take a big bite out of the calling time you’ve bought. As a result, the cards don’t deliver the call time they advertise. And because you’ve paid in advance, you may be out of pocket – and out of luck – if you discover a problem.
If you’re considering buying a calling card, read the poster, flyer, website or other advertisement for it – including any fine print – before you buy. Keep these questions in mind:
Finally, think about buying a card of a small denomination – say, $2 – first. It may provide the best value because if something goes wrong, your loss is limited.
If your pre-paid phone card doesn’t work as advertised – even after you’ve called the customer service number – contact:
The Federal Communications Commission
esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322); TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)
The FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
The Federal Trade Commission
ftc.gov/complaint
1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261
The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.