| | Check to see if there are any other local telephone companies offering service in your area. |
| | Explore all the rates and packages offered by telephone companies. |
| | Evaluate your needs before ordering premium services. Charges for options like call waiting, call forwarding, and caller ID can add up on your bill. |
| | Check your bill for equipment rentals. |
| | Many customers are still renting telephones and other equipment from the telephone company. You may find that it is less expensive to purchase your own. |
| | Find out if you qualify for assistance plans. Some low-income households are eligible for financial help in obtaining and maintaining local service |
| | Have your telephone number listed in the directory instead of unlisted. |
| | Most local telephone companies require you to pay a fee to have your number unlisted. To limit telemarketing calls, register your name on the National Do Not Call Registry by calling (888) 382-1222, or logging on to www.donotcall.gov. |
| | Use the telephone book to look up local numbers instead of using directory assistance, most companies charge per-call fees every time you call directory assistance. |
| | Dial direct. There are additional charges for all operator-assisted, collect, and credit card calls and calls billed to another number. |
| | Make sure service problems are with telephone company owned equipment before requesting a service call. |
| | Look in the front of your telephone directory for instructions on how to check whether the problem lies with equipment or the telephone company’s equipment. |
| | Investigate cellular options in your area. Many cellular providers offer flat-rate calling plans with free minutes and free long-distance |
| | Call long distance at night and on weekends when rates may be lower. |
| | Use toll-free numbers whenever possible. |
| | You can find many companies’ toll-free numbers by dialing (800) 555-1212 for a minimum charge. |
| | If a company does not have a toll-free number, call the company and ask them to call you right back. |
| | When calling from a phone other than your home telephone, use your long distance company’s access code, toll-free number, or prepaid calling card. |
| | Rates for use of phones in hotels, pay phones, and other phones away from your home may be substantially higher than your own long distance company’s rates. |
| | Know the area code numbers and their meaning before making a call. |
| | Phone numbers that have a 900 or 976 for the area code are toll calls that can charge several dollars per minute. |
| | Most phone companies offer blocks on both the 900 and international type calls. If you are experiencing issues with long-distance calls being made from your telephone number, you may want to ask your telephone company about toll restriction, a service that blocks all long-distance calls or international PIC block. |
| | Know the area codes in your region. Avoid long distance calls |