How To Avoid Deceitful Phone Card Companies

Phone card companies are increasing in number as the phone card industry continues to grow. Each company offers different deals for its customers' calling needs. They are seen to be trustworthy and reliable just like the product that they sell. Unfortunately, there are still other companies who are not honest enough to the buyers. They only think of the money that they can get from their profit. As a helpful guide, here are some of the things to remember for you to avoid being deceived by these companies.

1. Examine if the company gives you the full information disclosure. A phone card company is expected to provide a full disclosure of all information to its customers. Such queries about phone cards should be given attention and answered according to what the company can offer before a customer purchases the product.

2. Avoid hidden charges. Phone cards have hidden charges to cover up for the very low calling rates that they offer. The following are the hidden charges usually imposed in a phone card:

   • Every time you make a call and you are connected, your card charges you with the connection fee. These are charges made weekly, biweekly or monthly to your phone card to cover up the cost in maintaining the telephone network and the service provider that handles the card.
   • Some companies pass the taxes that they pay to their customers. As a result, these customers suffer from fewer calling minutes than what is actually represented on the phone card.
   • There are extra fees that you pay when you use your phone card in a mobile phone, pay phones, and school and hotel phones.
   • The billing increment in your phone card where your phone call is charged to the next minute. The best phone card has only one minute rounding for cheaper rates.

3. Check the company background. It is always recommended to check the background of the company that sells that particular phone card. The company should be honest, stable and reputable in doing its business, so that your money and card is in good hands.

4. Secure PIN delivery. For the first time that you do not receive your personal identification number (PIN), it is possibly an error. If this happens again and again, it is high time that you contact customer service and report your case. When there is no action, it is definitely phone card fraud and you should change your phone card company and brand.

5. Determine expiration date. Phone cards with short expiration dates do exist. This is true for cards with very low rates.

6. Verify the automatic recharge feature. Unless you are secured with your phone card company, then do not allow that company to automatically recharge your phone card when you run out of minutes. The payment is done through your credit card and it is easy for the company to cheat on you. If you made an agreement and the company is reliable, then you can allow the company to recharge your phone card automatically. This automatic recharging system is good for accounts without expiration dates unless you choose to cancel your account.