Find the Quickest Path to Humans for Cell and Wireline Customer Service
Does it ever seem like cell phone and wireline telephone companies' customer service lines are trying every
trick in the book to keep you from talking to a real, live person? Chances are, they are. Since paying for humans to staff call centers costs money, most telecommunications carriers try to let their automated systems -- interactive voice response (IVR) systems in industry jargon -- do as much work for them are possible. Fortunately, there are some great resources available to consumers who want to spend as little time talking to machines as possible.
Here are some good tips on how to get to human customer service as quickly as possible for some of the
major wireless and wireline carriers:
BellSouth - (1-877-678-2355) Dial "*" then "0"
Cingular Wireless - (1-800-331-0500) Choose the option for closing your account. You will reach the same customer service representatives as everyone else, but much more quickly.
MCI Local - (1-888-624-5622) Dial "*" twice. After you are told that this is an invalid number, dial "*" four times to be put in queue to speak to a real person.
MCI Long Distance - (1-800-444-3333) Dial "0-0". After the jingle, press "0-0" again. When the IVR voice says she wants you to say "yes or no," press "0-0" again. The IVR will ask a third time for a "yes or no." Press "0-0" again to be put in queue to speak to a human.
Sprint/Nextel - (1-888-788-5001) Dial "0-0"
T-Mobile - (1-800-937-8997) Enter your phone number
Verizon Wireless - (1-800-922-0204) Dial "#" then "0-0."
CallPlus/Locus - (1-800-436-3139) Choose option 1 (for English), then option 2, and again option 2 - a human voice will come on-line
ABOUT TRAC
TRAC, founded in 1983, is a non-profit membership organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the interests of residential telecommunications customers. TRAC staff researches telecommunications issues and publishes rate comparisons to help consumers make informed decisions regarding their long distance and local phone service options.
TRAC can be found on the web at http://www.trac.org.
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Media Contacts:
John Breyault, TRAC
johnb@trac.org, 202-263-2943
Pharos International has no relationship with TRAC, and provides this material for informational purposes only.
