Free Phone Tips
"To Save Money or Help Out In A Pinch"

1. Cell Phone Ring Tones and Games   This warning was recently broadcast on Good Morning America!
Important information to go over with your children.  NEVER enter your cell phone number on a website when browsing online for "ring tones or games" for your cell phone.  Doing so, can authorize many of these companies to add services to your cell phone bill that you do not want.  Charges for these services can increase your monthly cell phone bill from the typical $30 to $50 per month up into the hundreds of dollars per month.  You will be obligated to pay these charges to your carrier and to remove these services is a very difficult and cumbersome process. Be sure to read all the terms and conditions before signing up. Better yet, print the terms and conditions and review them with your parents or a responsible adult prior to entering any personal information.

2. Cell Phone Information
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to.  Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem.  When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial 1 (800) FREE 411, or 1 (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charges at all!  Jot down this number or print a reminder for the next time you need it most.

3. Collect Call /Money Saver
Telephone companies are charging us outrageous amounts to make a collect call.  We've all been situations when we need to make a free phone call (emergency, accident, stranded, from an airport, or hospital room, running late, needing help, no coins, no calling card, no cell phone or signal, or just needing to reach someone).  When that happens, simply dial 1 (888) 41BetterRate, or 1 (888) 412-3883 and save. Calls cost the accepting party up to 70% less!  Jot down this number or print a reminder for the next time you need it most.

4. Cell Phone Telemarketers 
As of March 1st. 2007, cell phone numbers were released to telemarketers.  You can be charged for these calls.  Dial 1 (888) 382-1222 to put yourself on a NATIONAL DO NOT CALL LIST.  You must call from the cell phone number you wish to block, not from any other phone or phone number.  It will block that number for 5 years.  Jot down this number to call and block your cell phone - today!

5. 809, 876, or 284 - Area Code Scams
DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809, 876, OR 284.  Or at least, be very cautious when responding to emails or phone calls using these area codes.  They could be a scam.  These scams have been less prevalent in recent months, but still can and do occur from time to time.  These area codes are located in offshore countries where you are not protected under US laws or regulations.  Things such as expensive phone calls, using your phone number to place long distance calls, and large phone bills have been what make these scams so costly to their victims.  Rule of thumb, don't call any unfamiliar phone numbers or numbers you have not researched first.  If it sounds important or enticing, call information first or do a reverse phone number search at www.phonenumber.com to find whom the area code or number belongs.  And if in doubt, don't return the call!

6. Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network, and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

7. Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the ca r and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk). Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!"

8. Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.

9. How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: To check A A <nobr code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your hand set. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends. (Left click on FILE, then SEND Page by E-mail)

http://www.PhoneBillSavings.com  - "A One Stop Telephone Savings Website"

Revised:  04/01/07