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Don't Rack Up Your Phone Bill: Telephone Expense Savings Tips  
TIPS 

Tags: Reduce Telephone Bill, Saving Money, phones, expenses, tips

Cost saving tips from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio:

	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

Lister: Angie
Source: PUCO

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