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Private companies offer a variety of informational programs using phone numbers that begin with “900.” These numbers are costly and you can be held responsible for these calls if they appear on your bill. Calls charging one dollar or more must contain an introductory disclosure message specifying types of charges, time necessary to complete the call, and an option to disconnect without charge at the end of the introductory message. 3 Rivers will assist you in placing a “900” block on your telephone line at no cost. Please call our business office for more information. Obscene or Harassing Phone Calls Stay calm and hang up the phone. Call your local telephone company for information on how to handle these types of phone calls. It’s against the law to make obscene or threatening phone calls. Telephone harassment is a crime. Penalties include imprisonment and/or a fine. Many telemarketers use computer-generated calls to reach you. This sometimes results in “phantom rings,” which causes your phone to ring, yet you find no one at the other end of the line when you answer. To disconnect a computer generated call, simply hang up your phone for 12-15 seconds. To remove your name from telemarketing lists, write to:
Or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY - 1-866-290-4236) to register your telephone or cell phone number on the national Do-Not-Call Registry. (You must call from the telephone or cell phone number you wish to register.) You may also register or obtain additional information via the Internet at www.donotcall.gov. Never give out your credit card numbers or other personal information to someone who calls and asks for them. Report companies using questionable telemarketing practices to the State Attorney General or the Better Business Bureau. Billing Name and Address Disclosure When you place a calling card call, or accept a collect call or third-number billed call, your local telephone company is required to provide your billing name and address to the telecommunications service provider that handled the call if that provider requests. Your local telephone company will continue to provide billing name and address information to telecommunication service providers for other account matters, such as customer service, servicing your account, to prevent fraud or when you move from one location to another. Customers With Special Telephone Needs Montana Relay Service The Montana Relay Service (MTRS) is a communications service that links deaf, hard of hearing and speech disabled to hearing people via the telephone. To use this service, dial the appropriate number and the relay agent will assist you throughout your call. All calls and information are confidential. This 24-hour service is provided at no cost to callers. Long distance calls will be billed accordingly. For more information please call: TTY/Voice 1-866-735-2968 The Montana Telecommunications Access Program (MTAP) administers the Montana Relay Service (MTRS). MTAP also provides amplified telephone equipment and TTY devices to people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled at no cost. MTAP suits the individual needs of all qualified Montana applicants. TTY 711 or 1-800-253-4091 For information about this service please call or write:
TTY/Voice 1-800-833-8503 TTY/Voice 1-406-444-1335 Call today to receive an application for free, specialized, telephone equipment for the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech disabled. “Lifeline” Program Low-income customers, certified by the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services as a Medicaid program recipient, can receive discounts on their monthly telephone bill. The discount is applied to residential primary line service. To apply, please download the following form and follow the included directions.
(567k PDF - Requires Free Adobe Reader)
“Enhanced Lifeline Assistance Program” Provides qualified telephone customers, living on a reservation, with discounts on monthly charges. Please call our business office to determine eligibility. “Link Up America” Program Montana residents who qualify for low-income telephone assistance also qualify for the “Link Up America” program provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). “Enhanced Link Up Assistance” Program Helps qualified, low-income customers living on a reservation, to connect, or hook up to the telephone network.
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