Posted on June 13, 2010 by smsgov
The FCC began investigating hoarding of 800 numbers as far back as 1995, but despite the subsequent release of 888, 877, and 866 pre-fixes, the practice continues to grow along with the skyrocketing popularity of toll free service. Hoarding by individual subscribers is lillegal. A subscriber may not acquire more toll-free numbers than they intend to use. By FCC definition, “hoarding” also includes “brokering” toll-free numbers for a fee.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: toll free brokering, toll free hoarding, toll free number, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 13, 2010 by smsgov
Toll free telephone number exhaustion is a real problem taking place in the United States.
Read about it here.
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Posted on June 12, 2010 by smsgov
The federal government begins mailing $250 tax-rebate checks today to seniors in Medicare prescription drug program. But feds are warning seniors that scam artists already are targeting the payments. Federal officials are getting reports of scam artists contacting seniors asking for personal information to get the checks — including Medicare, Social Security or bank account numbers. Anyone who has received a scam call should call the toll free number 800- 633-4227.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 numbers, federal 1-800 numbers, phone number, tax rebate, toll free federal numbers, toll free number | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 12, 2010 by smsgov
Randy Yank knows his daughters Megan and Lindsey are faced with temptation each day, especially when it comes to alcohol.
“I’m shocked at some of the things I hear. I wasn’t perfect or anything, but it’s a lot worse now than it ever was when I was in High School,” said Yank.
Although Randy’s daughters aren’t in high school yet, they know underage drinking is not the way to go.
That’s why the sisters both agree that a new hotline designed to turn kids in is the right way to go.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: authority, drin, law, toll free hotline, toll free number | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 12, 2010 by smsgov
Facing an extreme dearth of 800 numbers, telecommunications experts are now concerned that a toll free number ration could delay new phone service applications. And in the midst of an economic meltdown, U.S. business owners could not imagine worse news.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 number, 800 numbers, ration, toll free number, toll free numbers, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 11, 2010 by smsgov
After a recent blog post on regulation, a reader requested an example of how regulators have controlled the improper use of toll free numbers. Here’s one: In 2005, the FCC yanked control of 1-800-RED-CROSS from a private California business owner who was leasing the use of the number to local chapters of the Red Cross. When the charity filed a formal complaint, the FCC determined that the brokering was illegal and handed over control of the number to the non-profit.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: fcc, toll free practices, toll free service, toll free services | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 11, 2010 by smsgov
With good toll free telephone numbers becoming scarce, we still await news of the fate of the unused 855 area code toll free numbers. Last month we did hear rumors that the new collection of toll free numbers would soon be allowed for use. We also received a tip that there is “testing” of the yet-to-be-released 855 toll free telephone numbers. We didn’t get any specifics on what type of testing is being done on these area code numbers. The new 855 numbers would provide millions of opportunities for subscribers to get new custom toll free phone number for their business or personal use.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800 phone numbers, 855 numbers, toll free number, toll free service | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 10, 2010 by smsgov
Disaster officials overseeing recovery operations in response to the severe storms and flooding in the North East in March have extended the deadline for homeowners, renters and business owners to apply for disaster assistance until July 1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreed to the extension after reviewing the stream of new registrations this spring. Those affected by the storms should register for assistance by calling FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY/TDD 1-800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired (for relay service, call 711 or 1-800-852-7897) between 7 a.m. and 1a.m., seven days a week.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800 phone numbers, FEMA, toll free, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 10, 2010 by smsgov
UPDATE: The scarcity of toll free numbers is having an impact on telecom businesses nationwide. At&t no longer has 800 area codes available through it’s online toll free look-up tool. A number of other providers have followed suit and stopped offering the 800 numbers to their telephone subscribers.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 number, 1 800 numbers, 1-800, 800 number, toll, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 9, 2010 by smsgov
The FCC currently holds in reserve the next generation of toll free numbers, the 855, 844, and 833 numbers. The unprecedented growth of telecommunication and internet marketing services in the past decade has made 1-800 phone numbers increasingly valuable. In the 1990s, the FCC released 888, 877, and 866 toll free area codes to address the low supply of 800 numbers. Now, with more and more people getting their own toll free telephone number for business and personal use, the supply of those four toll free area codes is dwindling. Time for 855 numbers!
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 numbers, 855 numbers, toll free, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Toll Free Service Management System News 