ResponsibleCallingCards.com has not been able to find a "hassle-free" calling card, which consistently gives the user all the minutes they paid for.
Until we do, we're out-of-business.

There is legislation before both the House & Senate that "would require accurate and reasonable disclosure of the terms and conditions of prepaid telephone calling cards and services." Keep an eye on the House's "Calling Card Consumer Protection Act" (H.R. 3402) and the Senate's version, S. 2998. Perhaps when regulators force the industry to do the right thing, we will be back in business offering you Responsible Calling Cards.

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NOTES:

A pre-paid calling card (phone card) is purchased to make long distance phone calls. Many people use a pre-paid phone card because of its low rates and convenience - it can be used anywhere - and because it is paid for in advance. Pre-paid phone cards are popular among travelers, students, people who frequently call overseas, and those who haven't selected a preferred long distance telephone company. The cards are sold online and in stores everywhere.

The prepaid calling card industry is estimated to reach $6.4 billion in revenue in 2008. But there is a problem for phone card users. The industry is not regulated and you can't depend on getting the minutes you pay for. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act exempts common carriers subject to the Communications Act from its prohibitions on unfair and deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition. This exemption originated in an era when telecommunications services were provided by highly-regulated monopolies. As they testified before Congress, the FTC now believes that the exemption is outdated and endorses its repeal.

The impact is significant enough that the House has passed the "Calling Card Consumer Protection Act" (H.R. 3402) and the Senate has introduced its own version, S. 2998. If passed, the final bill will require, among other things, that the FTC mandate every prepaid telephone calling card distributor to disclose certain information, including all terms and conditions regarding fees, policies on refunds, recharges, decrements, expiration, and time limitations.

Citing her two recent studies in her statement submitted to the House, University of Georgia Professor Dr. Julia Marlowe states, "With respect to fees, the fact that there is no standardization of terms, results in confusion at best and deception at worst. Only one term should be allowed for a periodic charge; however, the best solution to this problem would be the elimination of any kind of periodic fee. My question is why are there fees at all? As long as there are fees, even disclosed ones, it is impossible to state the exact number of minutes the consumer will receive. A simpler solution would be for the providers to charge more for the cards and have no fees whatsoever. There are cards available that have no fees, with the exception of using the card at a pay phone."

It is www.responsiblecallingcards.com opinion that no fee cards are not enough, if the user is repeatedly being cheated out of the minutes they paid for. The industry has proven it is unable to regulate itself in this regards and requires oversight.