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MAGNOLIA CUPPING SERVICE(6IJ1) 856·0"1 I (205) 75&-8610

PROGRESS PONTOTOC, MS CIrculatIon;: 6183

W E E ~ l Y 10/21/2009

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Make the most ofp r e p . < I ; i ~ minutes

rJ " ••jPrepaid calling cards may

seem like a great value, claimingto provide hundreds of minutesfor a few dollars. However,

phone cards may have so many

fees and service charges that theyddiver far fewer minutes thanadvertised. The Better. BusinessAureau (BJlB) of Mississippioffers advice on how to get the

masl oul of a prepaid phone cardWhile avoiding being ripped off.!'tepaid phone cards are wide

ly available at stores, newsstands,and online. Some cards are meant

for one-time use and can bethrown away when the minutesare used up. Others can be

reeharged and have more minutes added by using a credit card.

According to the Federal TradeCommission (FTC), prepaidphone cards are a $4 billion per

year industry. However, a 2007survey by the Hispanic Institutefound lhat pcepaid phone cardsdelivered only (JO percent of thellunutes promised and that fraudulent phone card, were swindlingpeople nut of about $1 millionevery day.

"Many people rely on prepaidI phone cards as an inexpensiveI and easy way to stay in touch

with loved ones here and in othercountries," ilaid Bill Moak)President/CEO of the MississippiBBB. "Not all card.s are createdequal though, and many are

deceiving customers with p r o m ~ ises of hundreds of ,ninute, thatare ultimately whittled away bynumerous and exorbitant fees,"

The BIlB otfers the following

advice for getting the most foryour money when buying a prepaid phone card:

Read dIe disclosures aboutexpiration dates, surcharges.maintenance fees and any feesthat might vary based on whereyou arc calling to and callingfrom.

Find out the rates for bothdomestic and intcmarional calls.Ile wary if the rates aren't postedon the card or witb associatedadvertising or displays.

Compare rates. but don beimmediately sold by a low rate.Very low rates may be enticing,but they should also serve as ared lJag that the card may not

dc.liver the number of prorrrisedminutes.Check p'lCkaging. The card

should come in sealed paekagingthat has not been tampered with,

or should have a personal identification number (PIN) that is notvisible or revealed (note: makesure the protective coating covering PINs has not been sC!"dtehed

oft). Cards and packaging thathave been tampered with run therisk of having bad the ldentifica-

I tion numhers stolen and usedI before a buyer can usc the card.

I Check out the phone card

company with the BBB frrst at

www.bbb.org to make sure it hasa good reputation for satisfyingcustomers.

For more advice from yourARB, visit www.bbb.org.