30TH DISTRICT BY
SENATOR ROBERT W. SINGER
ASSEMBLYMAN JOSEPH R. MALONE
ASSEMBLYMAN RONALD S. DANCER
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WEEKLY COLUMN
November 6, 2009
We would like to familiarize our readers with information on prepaid phone cards, as provided to us by the Office of the Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
A prepaid phone card is a card that you purchase (for a set price) and use to make long-distance phone calls. Prepaid phone cards are popular with travelers, students, people who frequently call overseas and those who have not selected a long-distance service.
Prepaid phone cards are usually sold in dollar amounts or by the number of minutes on the card. You can purchase them at newsstands, post offices, retail stores , and grocery or convenience stores. Generally, they cost from $5.00 to $15.00.
The rates for some cards are based on calls within the continental United States or to a particular country. Many cards have an expiration date, usually printed on the back. If you do not use all the time on the card before that date, you will lose the remaining minutes.
Unfortunately, sometimes a card does not work or hold the value shown. Just as unfortunate, sometimes the service provided by the sponsor of the phone card is unsatisfactory. The store where you purchased the card has no control over the quality of service you receive. To make sure you are getting that for which you have paid, you should be using a card costing no more than a few dollars so that you can test the service.
According to the Consumer Affairs website, consider the following before buying a pre-paid phone card:
1. Ask the store manager if he or she will give you your money back if the phone service is unsatisfactory.
2. Look for the rate for local and long-distance calls on the card’s package or the machine where you buy the card. You can also get information about rates, fees, charges and minutes available and remaining on the card at the toll-free customer service number listed on the card.
3. If the rates are very low, beware--particularly if you plan to make international calls. Very low rates may indicate poor customer service.
4.Check for an expiration date. Most cards expire one year after the first time you use it.