Where To Complain About Faulty Phone Cards
By Vanessa A. Doctor
Today, using prepaid phone cards for calling long distance or overseas, is seen as a better alternative to calling plans from a standard phone connection, or to charging calls made away from home on a credit card.
When using a prepaid phone card, a consumer pays in advance for long distance or international calls, or both. These types of cards are generally sold in dollar denominations, ranging from $5, $10, to $20 and more.
These are also sold by blocks of minutes, fro 10 minutes onwards. Callers first have to dial a toll-free access number and enter a PIN number to make the call. Some phone cards may also be recharged, either where they were purchased or through Internet, by telephone or credit card.
Check Out A Card's Policies And Restrictions Before Buying One
Most prepaid phone cards are relatively easy to find, and these are usually sold at convenience stores and other retailers, through vending machines, over the Internet, and some are used for fundraisers at charities.
Majority of the major national phone service providers sell prepaid phone cards. Other cards carry the brand name of a retailer, organization or another telecommunications firm that has purchased minutes of long distance service at wholesale. Some states have laws or regulations that govern governing prepaid phone card regulations, while others do not. However, in most cases, laws relating to consumer protection and contract law will apply to prepaid calling cards.
Consumers who don't get full value from a card, or who don't get the deal advertised, are encouraged to report their problems, and that is one of the best ways that consumers can impact the market. Before buying one, consumers are advised to first read a specific card's rules and regulations, and verify if these are applicable to your locale, in order to avoid paying for those who may give you inappropriate rates, or have limited service in your area.
How To Directly Complain To The Card Issuer
For consumers who have specific complaints regarding the quality of service of the cards they purchase, they should verify first if the card displays a toll free customer service number. The card industry's trade association, the International Telecard Association, also runs a toll-free consumer hotline.
However, if your concerns are not quickly resolved by the card issuer, it would be best to contact your state Public Utility Commission, local Consumer Protection office, and/or your state Attorney General.
How To File Complaints With Federal Industry Regulators
As each state in the US has a government agency, which is usually called a public utility commission (PUC), public service commission (PSC), or corporate commission that regulates telephone companies, find out the contact numbers of these agencies in your local yellow pages. Several states have passed laws and regulations requiring disclosures on prepaid calling cards. Even if your state has not, complaining to your state regulator helps create the need for such disclosures.
It would also be good to try visiting the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and find your state on the interactive map or drop down menu. Most Public Utility Commission Web sites will generally provide contact info and suggest online methods of filing a complaint against erring phone card providers.
How To File Complaints With State Agencies
State attorneys general and consumer-welfare organizations will often be the first to handle complaints about fraud and contract disputes regarding phone cards, and some also provide mediation services. Based on consumer complaints, state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against telecom firms and calling card issuers, which have resulted in these firms giving refunds to consumers, and agreements by some card issuers to reform their company policies and practices.
http://flatratephonecard.com - Flat Rate Phonecard
Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vanessa_A._Doctor
http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Teenagers-Prefer-Prepaid-Phone-Cards&id=1452785