If you plan on calling collect, or accepting the charges, listen up: a simple call could end up costing you hundreds of dollars.

Karen Stiles of the TODAY’S TMJ4 Call For Action office has more information on how you can avoid getting taken by costly collect calls.
It is important to know how much the call is going to cost before you make it or accept the charges. This is what a lot of people fail to ask before they make or accept a collect call.

Quite often when we call collect or accept the charges, it’s because of an urgent situation such as a family member being stranded, or a medical emergency, but, unfortunately, even though the FCC requires the service providers to disclose these charges, they often do not unless you specifically ask how much the call will cost.

To avoid making a costly mistake:

•Consider using a pre-paid phone card or cell phone.

•Consider dialing direct from a different phone, again asking for the cost to dial direct and reimbursing the person who is allowing you to use their phone.

•Ask to be connected to a phone company for which you know has reasonable rates for making collect calls.

•And do not accept the charges unless you can hear and clearly recognize the voice of the person calling.

If you get caught by one of these expensive charges, unfortunately, you may be stuck. However, before you just accept the high charges, contact the provider, and plead your case. You may be able to get them to reduce the charges. If they will not work with you and you feel your rights have been violated, you might also be able to get help by filing a complaint with the FCC.

Click on the link under related content for more information on filing complaints with the FCC.