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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
Cell Phones
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 

Pennsylvania 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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Cell Phones

Cell Phones and Cellular Calling Plans (Pennsylvania)

Cell Phone Portability: Transferring your Cell Phone Number (Pennsylvania)

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

 Getting The Best Rates & Keeping Bills Low

Free Cell Phone Plus Free Minutes Through Safelink Wireless 800-997-3768
For those 135% below the poverty line or those who are already on Medicaid, food stamps, housing assistance, etc, it is now possible to get a free cell phone and free cell phone service, even if you cannot afford to pay the monthly charges. States covered include Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, In addition, SafeLink Wireless cell phone service will soon be offered in Alabama, Connecticut, D. of Columbia, Delaware, New Hampshire and North Carolina. Keep checking the SafeLink website to see if your state qualifies.

Telephone Home Page of Pennsylvania Utilities Commission (Does Not Regulate Cell Phones)
The PUC has jurisdiction over local telephone service providers. The Commission does not regulate cellular and wireless phone companies, cable TV companies or long-distance companies. For more information on these, contact your local municipality about cable TV problems or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about cellular/wireless phone and long-distance problems.

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

Telephone Assistance Programs (Pennsylvania)
For consumers with limited incomes to keep their telephone service connected, reduce monthly phone bills, help pay connection fees and avoid shutoffs. Eligibility is determined based on your income or participation in other assistance programs.

Free Cell Phone Plus Free Minutes Through Safelink Wireless 800-997-3768
For those 135% below the poverty line or those who are already on Medicaid, food stamps, housing assistance, etc, it is now possible to get a free cell phone and free cell phone service, even if you cannot afford to pay the monthly charges. States covered include Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, In addition, SafeLink Wireless cell phone service will soon be offered in Alabama, Connecticut, D. of Columbia, Delaware, New Hampshire and North Carolina. Keep checking the SafeLink website to see if your state qualifies.

Rent, Utilities and Mortgage Assistance In Pennsylvania  (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

Do Not Call List For Pennsylvania
What is it and how to get on it for free.

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.

See Complaints (Consumer-SOS)
 

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

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission-Filing A Complaint (800) 782-1110
Choose to lodge a formal or informal complaint.

List of Local & Long Distance Telephone Companies (Pennsylvania)
Includes contact #s.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Consumer Complaint Forms & Contact Numbers (800-441-2555)
Consumer Complaints, Telemarketers
SPAM and Junk Mail, Health Care Complaints, Insurance Fraud
Elder Abuse, Civil Rights Complaint Form
Charitable Trusts and Organization Complaint Form

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
For cellular/wireless phone and long-distance problems.

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 Pennsylvania
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)

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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