Useful Information For You

TheLowestRates.com is proud to present helpful tips and information to help you save money on your long distance telephone bill and help you to avoid telephone scams:

Tips for Lowering Your Long Distance Telephone Bill - If you think your long distance company is charging you too much - in flat fees, monthly minimums or per-minute charges -- the Better Business Bureau, along with the Federal Communication Commission, offer the following options which may help lower your monthly bill.

Choosing a long distance provider - Choosing a long distance telephone provider can be a tricky business. Not only are there hundreds of long distance companies, but each company offers numerous long distance calling plans. With so many options, it can seem overwhelming when trying to find the long distance plan to best fit your needs.

Beware of telephone scams - It’s illegal. It’s deceptive. It’s costly. But getting “slammed” (having your long-distance telephone carrier switched without your permission) is becoming an increasingly common occurrence.

How to avoid being crammed - Some consumers are being billed for telephone services they did not order. This practice is called “cramming” and it affects telephone consumers nationwide.

Beware of telemarketing scams - Offers of amazing investments and too-good-to-be-true offers are warning signs of telephone fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, telemarketing fraud now costs Americans at least $40 billion a year.

National Do Not Call Registry - The National Do Not Call Registry is open for business, putting consumers in charge of the telemarketing calls they get at home. The Federal government created the national registry to make it easier and more efficient for you to stop getting telemarketing calls you don’t want. You can register online or call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register. Registration is free.

Afford-A-Phone: A Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America Outreach Campaign - The Lifeline telephone discount program, also known as "Lifeline Assistance", gives people with low incomes a discount on the basic monthly telephone service for either their wired phone or wireless phone. The Link-Up America program pays for a portion of your wireline or wireless installation or activation fee excluding the handset.

Explanation of Charges on Your Telephone Bill - Many consumers do not understand the various charges and items on their monthly phone bills. Here’s a quick reference that describes some of these charges.

Top Ten Telephone Tips - Understand your own telephone calling patterns. Do you make most of your telephone calls during the day, night, or on weekends? If you don't make frequent residential long distance telephone calls, perhaps a long distance telephone dial-around service ("10-10") is the right plan for you or a plan with no monthly minimum fees.

VOIP Internet Telephony and Internet Phone Information - Internet Telephony, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone through an adaptor.

Why is there a USF Fee or Tax on my long distance telephone bill? - Long distance phone companies used to make money off of your USF Fee which is an FCC mandated fee that goes to schools, roads etc... in your community. AT&T used to charge 11.5% and MCI used to charge 12.3% for something the FCC used to charge them 5% for. Since these long distance phone companies were making a ton of money, off of what the Public thought was a mandated fee, the FCC just changed the rule so that all telephone companies are required by law to charge the same amount, and give it all to the FCC. Read about USF to find out what all the USF is used for.