cannot receive collect calls

[HLM409]

Does anyone know why my Verizon house phone will not accept collect calls? It used to. Is there something I can do or does Verizon have to do something?

[Aris]

Have you made any changes to your package since you last received a collect call? I just checked my own package to see if I could add collect call acceptance and I realized that didn't exist. You can only block collect calls otherwise they come through. If you log into your account and click on My Features (or however it's described) you can see if the box for Collect Call Block is checked. Good luck.

[CharlesH]

There is really nothing that Verizon should have to do as far as letting you accept collect calls.  I get this issue a lot when a caller from a corrections facility cannot call their family on a FiOS line.  This is on the correction facility's side to allow the caller to call out (usually a MCI account).

[vickybird]

When I signed up for this phone line it was to be able to recieve calls collect from a correctional facilty.I cannot receive any calls from there.I called the verizon tech and they gave me two numbers to call..Who's respossible for this? I would have never gotten the phone if I knew I couldn't receive the calls! Can anyone help me?

[Aris]

Vicky, unless you're on a limited plan that is to help you budget I would think it's not on Verizon's end. Find out who the correctional facility uses for their long distance or collect calling and then call that company and find out more information. I think it's probably on the CF's end. If not, it may shed more light and help you get closer to a solution.

Best,

Aris

[likerebecca]

Hi Vicky - Did you ever figure out what the problems is?  I was able to receive calls, and suddenly am not..  He's getting a message that my # is blocked and can't call me at all.  I have such a difficult time getting in touch with Verizon.  The CF says they use Global Tel Link for the outgoing calls, but I have an account with them already.. not sure what's going on.  Hope you got your issue resolved, just trying to reach out for some guidance.  Thanks!

[vickybird]

I did find out what my problem was... had to call the CF and find out what company they went through and get and account through them..It is still a mess but can recieve calls now..You either have to do a prepay account or have them bill you through your phone company and if it's a new account you can only receive so many calls for a billing period...It's pretty messed up and they have scam going as far as I'm concerned..let me know if I have helped you at all....Thx

[mattheww50]

It very definitely IS a scam. The phone service at the CF is provided by an Alternative Operator  (AO)Company, who gets the contract on the basis of how much they will pay the CF for providing the service. The only way they can guarantee the income is by not permitting the calls to be placed on a collect basis,m or routed over someone other company.. Often the rates of these AO companies are many times the tariffed rates by a 'real' phone company such as Verizon, Qwest, etc. However as a matter of law (but most people held by CF's don't know it), they have a right to demand that the call be placed over a regular carrier, which generally means it can be placed to any phone, and will be charged at the tariffed rate, as opposed to the obscene AO carrier rate (often as much as 10 times the tariffed operator assisted call rate by a 'real' phone company.

. I.E. if you say you want the call placed via AT&T, Verizon, Qwest etc, by Federal Law, they must turn the call over to the requested carrier.

[vickybird]

Can you tell me how we go about this? When my boyfriend calls he has to use a code to call me..It is through the service they use...I'd appreciate your help as I'm getting so fustrated with company.

[Aris]

Hi again.

Yep, I got screwed in this same game. For Verizon to be a "monopoly" they sure are useless in the battle of CF calls. 

Matthew when I get a call I will tell him to request the call to be placed through Verizon. I thank you for that tip, it makes a lot of sense.

Vicky, I just had to call Correctional Billing Services (CBS) and open an account and pay $56 of which $50 is for pre-paid calling and $6 for processing fees. I would RATHER give that money to Verizon than some "go between". Makes me so mad. Anyway, that's what I'm thinking I had to do and so you might have to do that too. I don't really know about a code though (yet). He should get through by this time tomorrow evening. If it works then good, if not then they better give me my money back.

These CF providers are wearing the pants for sure. What's really going on Verizon?

Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. 🙂 (Except Verizon!!!!)

Aris

Message Edited by Aris on 02-13-2009 03:55 PM