What are the toll free number codes?
Today there are four toll free codes: 800, 888, 877, and 866.

Do toll free numbers require a dedicated phone line?
No. They "ring to" a any land line or cell phone line. Installation of a dedicated phone line is not required.

Can I select a toll free number?
In general the trade-off for deeply discounted rates is number assignment by the service provider. There are exceptions – email Vanity@whosells800.com with your name, company contact information, and Vanity Number requests. We will reply with your Vanity Number options.

In the course of transferring my toll free number to a new provider, will my new service provider notify my old service provider that my toll free number and account have moved?
Service providers - RespOrgs, carriers, resellers, etc. - do not have the authority to cancel your previous toll free service. After your toll free service has been transferred to your new provider, cancel your account with your prior service provider. If you don't you're likely to find continued monthly bills from the old provider.

Can I select a vanity number?
If you go directly to most service providers, their policy is to assign you an arbitrary toll free number. There are exceptions – email Vanity@whosells800.com with your name, company contact information, and Vanity Number requests. We will reply with your vanity number options.

Will I be charged for calls to my toll free number from a payphone?
Yes. Effective October 7, 1997 the Federal Communications Commission has adopted a surcharge on toll free calls placed from pay phones or public phones. This charge is collected on behalf of the pay phone service providers and will be remitted to them. Therefore, if your toll free number receives a call from a pay phone or you make a calling card call from a pay phone it will result in an additional charge of 35 cents per call.

Do I need another phone line for my toll free number?
No. Customer Service will ask you what “ring-to” number you want your toll free number pointed to. This will be your residential, home office or office phone, cell phone, or whatever phone line you want your toll free number to ring to.

Can I have more than one toll free number?
Yes. You might want multiple toll free numbers to test different print ads. Often our business customers have at least two toll free numbers, one on their voice line and one on their fax line.

Can I call out on my toll free line?
No. Toll free numbers are inbound only, and interstate rates and state rates apply.

Will I get a statement with my inbound calls on my monthly bill?
Yes, you will receive the number the call came from, and the city and state.

What is a "stand alone" toll free number?
It simply means you don't have to change your existing long distance service, to buy our toll free service. However, we suggest your check your long distance rates - you might find ours are far more competitive.

If you have four or more long distance lines you qualify for our 4.25 cents combination long distance/toll free service - an excellent rate!

Can I block area codes in my toll free service?
Yes, just ask customer service. Block any area code or state.

Can I call from Europe?
Not at this time

What if I already have a toll free number?
You can transfer your toll free number here. The exception is if your current toll free number requires a PIN code or if you use the number through a shared-use marketing company. Those numbers can't be moved. To move your number additional paperwork is required - we have a transfer form you’ll need to fill out.

What does it mean when someone says my toll free number is portable?
When someone says your toll free number is portable, this means that you can switch long distance companies and plans without having to get a different toll free number. You can keep your existing toll free number when you switch services. The exception is if your current toll free number requires a PIN code or if you use the number through a shared-use marketing company. Those numbers can't be moved.

What is a National Access Fee, or PICC Fee?
These fees are charges that long distance companies must pay to local service providers as compensation for their use of the local company's telephone network. Typically, long distance companies recover these fees from their customers by adding a nominal flat charge to their monthly phone bill.

What is a billing increment?
Billing increments are the blocks of time the long distance company uses to bill you. Typically, long distance service is billed in 6-, 30- or 60-second billing increments.

Is it better to be billed in 6-second increments, 30-second increments, 60-second increments or a flat rate?
A shorter billing interval will result in lower charges, so it's best to be billed in 6-second increments, all other things being equal (like comparable per minute and instate rates.)

What is Third Party Verification (TPV)?
When you ask to switch your long distance service provider, in most cases we are required to have independent third party verification (TPV) of this request. You will be called and asked to confirm that you do, indeed, want your long distance service switched. This is a useful service that protects you from being slammed (having your service switched without your permission.)

Can Toll Free Numbers Be Lost or Stolen?
Yes! WhoSells800-sponsor ICB Consultancy has been doing lost and stolen number recovery since the early '90's. If you'd like to know more about this question or have a problem to discuss, email ICB Consultancy.

Is it legal to buy toll free numbers?
No! (See ICB Toll Free News article FCC Proscribes 800 Transfers Between Subscribers). As a matter of policy we don’t agree and have petitioned the FCC to change the rules. (See 1800AFTA for more information).

As a practical matter, if a toll free number broker (they’re all over the net) offers to sell* or help you buy a number and doesn’t inform you first that it’s not legal, head for the hills because:

-- entrapment or enforcement (fines and worse) could result.
-- the number you get may not be yours for long.

ICB Consulting does lost-and-stolen-number recovery. A number returned to its rightful ‘owner’ does not replace your funds already cleared by the legal-facts/candor-challenged broker.

*This is not to be confused with shared-use marketing, which is legal and recommended where applicable. A good example of a reputable shared-use marketing company is Response Marketing – please tell them we said hi!

When are 855 numbers coming out?
The fifth toll free code was supposed to be released simultaneous with the release of 866; at this point, if and when it will be released is anybody’s guess. But if you’ve got an 855 number reserved, take note: as the ICB Toll Free News article title says, 855 Number Reservations [are] To Be Quietly Released. In October, 2002 the FCC gave the industry an informal nod to release the 855 number reservations. There was no mention of contacting 855 reservation holders. (Do you think that stinks? We do too.)