Consumer Tips: Buying and Using Phone Cards

Before you buy a phone card:

• choose at least two phone cards to compare
• find information about the fees.  That information usually is on the sign for the card
• write the charges for:
• maintenance fee
• fee to dial the access number
• fee to call a mobile number
• fee to end the call
• compare the fees for the two cards.  Choose the card that is best for you

• Buy cards for a small amount of money - for example, $2.00 or $5.00.  You are buying fewer minutes.  But you will not lose much money if the card does not work.
• Check the expiration date.  Be sure you can use all the minutes by that date.
• Make sure you see a customer service number on the card.  That means you can get help if you need it.

You might have a phone card that does not work.  Or a card with fewer minutes than you thought.  If you do, report it:

• Call the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357 (TTY: 1-866-653-4261).
• Tell the person on the phone what happened.  You can give as much or as little information as you want.