In the modern day and age where technology dominates our daily lives, phone plans with unlimited data, messages, and minutes are a standard. Everyone who is using their mobile device for emails, social media, watching videos, and playing games knows the importance of internet. On the other hand, having unlimited messages and minutes allows you to call anyone, anytime, but only as long as you are within the borders of your country. Roaming fees still exist for many parts of the world, which is why using your phone for any of the aforementioned things results in astronomical charges when you only spend seconds online, calling, or messaging.
For those purposes, good old-fashioned prepaid phone cards are still the best thing to go with. For a flat fee, you are able to make long distance calls and get plenty of minutes towards a certain country for one small price. This is a very useful solution because there is no other alternative. Unless you can get the hold of Wi-Fi and hop online to contact the people you want, you will have to call them. The same goes if you do not have their socials or if you are calling an institution, a business, or somebody you do not even know.
Sadly though, as with many other things in this world, there are many counterfeit and fake cards that are being sold for cheap that actually do not work. To stay safe and not waste any of your money when you need a calling card in an emergency, you need to know how to tell which ones are legit. In this article we will talk about why you should avoid cheap calling cards and what to look for in one before buying. Learn even more information on this by visiting nzphonecards.co.nz.
What Do They Do?
In short, calling cards allow you to call a certain country for a very low price. For example, you can find a card that gives you 1000 minutes to a foreign country for as little as $5 to $10. This is a bargain if you have relatives to talk to for long, if you need to jump on a sudden business call, or if you need to get some first-hand info about a certain thing from a distant location.
When you purchase this card, it comes with an access number you need to call. It is usually a local number, or a toll-free automated number. Each card also has a personal identification number (PIN) that you need to read out or put in. Lastly, you will need the telephone number you mean to call. The voice on the other hand, almost always an automated customer service system, tells you additional information and how much time you have remaining.
Avoiding Cheap Cards
The most common issues with calling cards differ greatly, but most of them have one thing in common. They arise when the users buy cheap cards that are too affordable to be true. If you get thousands of minutes for a very low price, lower than what other cards give, it could be an illegitimate calling card. Similarly, if what it offers is suspicious in that it gives you access to multiple phone numbers and multiple countries, know that it is probably a scam you should definitely avoid. All of these issues are made worse due to the fact that you can now buy such cards anywhere and it is very difficult to judge how legitimate they are.
Speaking of calling card problems, the most common complaints associated with them include all sorts of issues. A large number of them have access numbers and/or PINs that do not work. Nobody may pick up to help you activate it and the PIN may not be the right one for the card. The service could be constantly busy, an obvious sign of foul play. Sometimes, scam companies go out of business or stop issuing cards and picking up, leaving the customers with cards they can never use. One of the ways in which fraudsters take advantage of unsuspecting customers is through hidden fees. They deduct them after you end the call or if you call at certain times. This should not be the case with legitimate cards you pay a fair price for. Similarly, if you are charged when the call never goes through or connects is another sign that you have been tricked.
What is the Solution?
In order to escape these and many other problems with calling cards, it would be best to only buy them from legitimate providers you know and trust. Do not buy them at shady stores or from online sources that are not credible. Carriers usually offer them to their existing clients so ask around if your carrier has something to offer. You are far more likely to find exactly what you need with the carrier who provides you with your regular phone plan than anywhere else. You will probably pay less too. Even if you end up having a problem with their card, you will be able to resolve the issue much faster and either get your money back, or have another card to try.
Since we have access to modern technology these days, like never before, most things also exist online. Virtual calling cards also exist and they be the solution you need in a sticky situation. Most of them come without a PIN and are easier to set up and use. In addition, they are harder for the scammers to replicate and try to scam people with. They need a whole website service to do so which does not make a lot of sense as it is too much work for too little money. Physical cards are still very popular, particularly because they are a short-term solution you use and move on. You can find them for spare change at any corner store but be careful with what they offer and how much they cost. If they look cheap, feel cheap, and advertise a carrier you never heard off, it would be best to try another one.
