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Related Topics

People Search
(To find people's phone numbers and addresses.)

Privacy & ID Theft
(To get rid of unwanted calls.)

Phone Matters
Area Codes
Billing Problems & Unauthorized Charges
Getting The Best Rates/ Keeping Bills Low 
Payment Assistance Programs
Telemarketers & Scams 
Complaints
Misc. (Times Zones, Lost or Missing Cell Phones, Keeping Your Phone #, Pay phones, Taping Conversations, & Other FCC Brochures)

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Gas, Water & Other Utilities
Tips, Problems & Complaints
Payment Assistance Programs

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Area Codes 

Maps Of Area Codes Throughout The US (Frequently updated)

Area Codes In Numerical Order With Time Zones!
Find out the state and time zone for each US area code.
Spot long distance scams such as US area code look a likes which really connect you abroad.

Find Out What Time It Is In Any Country Or City (World-Wide)

Cities With Their Area Codes (Scroll Down Page)

Area Code Search Engine
Type in the 3 digit number and find the city and state it belongs to. Their website is slow so be patient.

BEWARE OF US AREA CODE LOOK LOOK A LIKES
Numbers such as the 809 area code come from the Caribbean. These numbers are not subject to the laws and regulations that govern calls originating in the United States. Area codes (or look-alikes) that may contain pay-per-call numbers are: 264, 268, 242, 246, 441, 284, 245, 767, 473, 876, 664, 869, 758, 784, 868, 809 or the 011 international access code. 

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Billing Problems & Unauthorized Charges
Understanding Your Phone Bill
Long Distance, Tolls & Other Charges 
Slamming & Cramming
 

PSC Programs & Protections for Senior Citizens (New York)
As an elderly utility customer in New York State, you are protected by special rules
enforced by the Public Service Commission. These rules apply to gas, electric, steam
and telephone companies.

Switching or Canceling Long-Distance Service (New York)
How to cancel, switch or confirm your long distance service. Also what to consider before switching.

Wireless Phones (New York)
How to choose a service plan based on what they do and do not need, extra fees, durations of contracts, and problems with “dead zones.”

Rules Governing Provision of Telephone Service to Residential Customers
Includes helpline.

Slamming (New York)
What to do if your service is switched without your permission.

Cramming (New York)
What to do if when a company places unauthorized charges for telephone and non-telephone related services on your local telephone bill.

Options for Telephone Consumers (New York)
Choose among many long distance companies; and own your own phone(s) and save the rental fee.

Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act (New York)
New York statute governing telemarketers.

900 Numbers (Precautions & Problems-FTC)

Children Using 900 #s
If the Advertiser has not followed these rules, ask that you get a refund, even though your child was at fault.

Phone Billing Rights
For Complaints regarding 900 #s, Slamming, Cramming, Collect Calls and other Charges.

Reverse Lookups-Finding The Name & Address When You Only Have The Phone #
Strange # on your phone bill? Find out who it belongs to.

Phone, Gas And Water (Common Problems & What To Do)

Consumer Advice On Phone-Related Matters
Where to complain, dealing with slamming, calling cards, long distance providers and more.
 

 Getting The Best Rates & Keeping Bills Low

Options for Telephone Consumers (New York)
Choose among many long distance companies; and own your own phone(s) and save the rental fee.

Comparing Long Distance Phone Rates (Rates-All 50 States & DC)
The lowest in state, interstate and international phone rates. Also has lowest calling card and toll free rates.

The Lowest 10-10 Number Rates 

Low Phone Rates (Under 5 cents Per Minute)

The Lowest Calling Card Rates

The Lowest International Rates

The Best Phone Rates (Lists The Cheapest Ones)
Also has other consumer tips and advice.

Cheapest Long Distance Rate Calculator
For a FAST and very EASY detailed rate analysis for all of our long distance carriers - side by side - in your area.


Federal Law & Brochures (Not State Specific)

What To Look For When Choosing Long Distance Rates (FTC)

How To Lower Your Long-Distance Bill (FCC)


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Payment Assistance Programs

 

Can't Pay Your Rent, Mortgage or Utilities? (Consumer-SOS)
Step by step on what to do and where to go for assistance.

Rent, Utilities and Mortgage Assistance In New York  (Google)
Stop!!!!!   AFTER CLICKING ON THIS LINK, GO TO THE GOOGLE SEARCH BOX AND REPLACE "YOUR STATE" WITH THE STATE WHERE YOU LIVE. i.e."NEW YORK" OR "CALIFORNIA" OR "ALASKA" then click on go. For help in your county or city, add the name of your county or city after the name of your state.

The Salvation Army Nearest You   (All 50 States & DC)
The Salvation Army often helps with rent, utilities, transportation, food, clothing and mortgage assistance.

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Telemarketers & Phone Scams

The National Do Not Call Registry
Most telemarketers cannot call your telephone number if it is in the National Do Not Call Registry. You can register your home and mobile phone numbers for free. Your registration will be effective for five years.

Complaints
 

Federal Law & Brochures (Not State Specific)

Anti Telemarketing Laws, Links & Brochures (Excellent!)

The Telemarketing Sales Rule (FTC Brochure)
Also click Here

The Mail & Telephone Order Rule (Rules Corps Must Follow) 

Unsolicited Marketing Calls & Faxes (FTC)

Telemarketing Fraud: What You Need To Know
Scroll down to their brochures on telephone Services.

Telemarketing Fraud (Links)

Top 10 Telemarketing Frauds

For More Fraud, See Phone Scams

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Phone Scams

International Telephone Number Scams (FTC)

Toll-Free Telephone Number Scams (FTC)

Scams & Cons (Consumer-SOS)

Complaints (Consumer-SOS)

To Verify A Legitimate Business Offer, Charity or Sales Pitch See: Charities and  Business Matters

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Complaints

Public Service Commission (New York)
Regulates energy, telecommunications, and water services.

Filing a Consumer Complaint with the Public Service Commission (New York)

Dispute Resolution at the Public Service Commission (New York)

Utility Wrongdoing (Whistle Blower) Complaint Process (New York)
Allegations of utility wrongdoing typically come to the Department from many sources, including: utility employees, the general public, state and local agencies, and contractors. Complaints may be filed either anonymously or by name.

Consumer Complaint Procedures (New York)

PSC Guide to Complaint Handling (New York)
Where and how to file a complaint.

A Housing Guide for Senior Citizens (New York)
This guide addresses such key issues as help with electric and gas utilities and help with telephone service.

State Utility Commissions (All 50 States)
Report Phone & Utility Complaints.

State Utility Commissions (All 50 States)
Includes Links Missing Above. 

Consumer Advice On Phone-Related Matters
Where to complain, dealing with slamming, calling cards, long distance providers and more.

Find The AARP In New York
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

Call For Action (Has Chapters In 18 States)  
Volunteers aligned with the media are trained to assist consumers through mediation and education in order to resolve problems with businesses, government agencies and other organizations. Services are free, confidential and available to individuals and small businesses. 

Find Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously. Select your state, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).


Federal Law & Brochures (Not State Specific)

FCC Brochures On All Sorts Of Phone Related Issues
Everything From filing complaints to choosing caller ID.

How To Right A Wrong (FTC)

National Help Orgs For A Variety Of Consumer Problems
The Elderly, Environment, Families, Fraud, Health & Safety, Insurance The Handicapped, Medical Problems, Telemarketing and more.

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Misc. (Phones)

Payphones (New York)
PSC rules require certain information to be posted prominently at each payphone location.
Learn how to get refunds and where to complain.

Wireless Phones (New York)
How to choose a service plan based on what they do and do not need, extra fees, durations of contracts, and problems with “dead zones.”

Telecommunications Utility Listing (New York)

PSC Programs & Protections for Senior Citizens (New York)
As an elderly utility customer in New York State, you are protected by special rules
enforced by the Public Service Commission. These rules apply to gas, electric, steam
and telephone companies.

Keeping Your Phone Number When You Change Your Service

Find Out What Time It Is In Any Country Or City (World-Wide)

Finding The Owner Of A Lost Cell Phone/What to Do If Yours Is Missing (Consumer-SOS)

Recording Telephone Conversations (FCC)

The Laws On Taping Phone Conversations (All 50 States & DC)

Pay Phones-You Must Be Told In Advance How Much Call Costs (FCC)

Enter A Pay Phone # and Find Out Where It's Located
Lists pay phone numbers throughout the US and also has reverse lookup where you can punch in the # and find where the pay phone is located. Comes in handy if someone is using a pay phone to stalk or threaten you.  Use the reverse lookup to find where he's calling from and notify the police.

Find The Numbers On Pay Phones Around The Country

Consumer Information About Telephone Related Issues (Other FCC Brochures)  
They've got anything you can think of!!!

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