Acharn Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 I need to call a government agency in the U.S. Like many government agencies they are very hard for expats to contact. The only way to contact them is by calling a "toll-free" number. There is no street address, no snail mail address, no email address, and no telephone number other than the 1-800 number. I can call my credit union and my bank in the u.s., because both of them have regular phone numbers. I can call some other government agencies because they have regular phone numbers, and sometimes even have email or contact pages on the internet. I can direct dial to the U.S. through DTAC, no problem, but I cannot direct dial to an 800 number as far as I can tell. Every time I try I get a sound that sounds like a man's voice saying a single syllable, and then a woman's voice, maybe two syllables, and then the line is cut. Does anybody know a work-around? I notice DTAC also has no way to contact them for assistance. I haven't tried TOT yet, but I gave up my land line a couple of years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PC800 Posted July 4, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2018 I use SKYPE and you CAN call an 800 number, and there's no charge. Skype to Skype is free. And if you have to call a landline or cell phone, it's reasonable: Calls to non-Skype landlines and mobile numbers in the U.S. cost 2.3 cents per minute with a 4.9-cent connection fee. Sending a text message costs 11.2 cents. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackdd Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 I always use Skype for international calls, might work in your case (never tried to call such a number) and also much cheaper 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attrayant Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 I use my Google voice number, which has a 202 (DC) area code, for such things. Or any time I need to give out a US-based telephone number. If you don't have one, maybe now's the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 (edited) Example: UPS shows a hotline: 1-800-742-5877 I dialed 001 1 800 742 5877 from AIS mobile. (two times digit "1"!) Now the strange result: First attempt directly hearing "Welcome to UPS...". Second attempt a lengthy announcement in Thai followed by announcement in perfect (US) English that the call to 800 number from outside USA is not free and that you will be charged and should otherwise hang up. ? Edited July 4, 2018 by KhunBENQ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 (edited) Third attempt: again directly to UPS. Listening longer and hear something about "Independence Day"! Congratulations! Having been charged. Edited July 4, 2018 by KhunBENQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Now tried the 009 CAT prefix for a cheaper rate. And there: 009 1 800 742 5877 (digit "1" only once) directly results in "Welcome ...". ? Strange. And the charge seems not better than at the other attempts (~ 11 Baht). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post USNret Posted July 5, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2018 Skype to 1-800 numbers is free. Just load the app on your smart phone or computer, create an account, and you’re golden. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 11 minutes ago, USNret said: Skype to 1-800 numbers is free. Just load the app on your smart phone or computer, create an account, and you’re golden. Thanks for the "free". I am not familiar with that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiWai Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Skype. Next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiWai Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 18 hours ago, attrayant said: I use my Google voice number, which has a 202 (DC) area code, for such things. Or any time I need to give out a US-based telephone number. If you don't have one, maybe now's the time. Does it have voicemail? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attrayant Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, ThaiWai said: Does it have voicemail? Yes. When somebody calls me and I'm not in front of my PC, it goes to voicemail. If the caller leaves a message, it creates a transcript and puts that in my inbox, so I can read it. Edited July 5, 2018 by attrayant 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclueng Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Use SKYPE to call toll free numbers in USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaidream Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 I call 800 numbers in the US all the time. I use AIS One-Two Call. You can use the following- with AIS only 003-1-800-xxx-xxxx 001-1-800-xxx-xxxx 009-1-8oo-xxx-xxxx If you have DTAC- make sure they will allow international calling on your phone (ask their customer service) 004-1-800-xxx-xxxx Sometimes you get an English recording indicating the 800 number is not free- hang up if you do not wish to continue. It will then connect in a few seconds. Good Luck 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardinalblue Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) My carrier is 007 + 1 call them thru the Japanese app LINE.....it's free or go to post extra in shopping malls and they can place the call for you if this is just a one two time thing Edited July 5, 2018 by cardinalblue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soisanuk Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) I use Skype and have done so for years. It is great for 800 number calls to the USA as there is no charge as I listen to "your call is important to us, please hold the line for the next available . . .". Also, as mentioned, if the person you are calling has Skype, then it is free - but if they don't, the cost is minimal for calling a landline or mobile number. But, for US$60 a year, I have my own telephone number in US - you can choose which area code you want for your number - anyone calling that number is routed to me through Skype and if I call them, their caller ID sees my US number. Most of my friends and family have mobile phone plans that let them call any USA number free during certain hours - thus they can call my US number at no cost and I pay no fees other than my annual fee for the service. I no longer have Skype on my PC - instead, I have my IOS App - so if I get a call, it comes to my mobile phone through the app - no forwarding cost (Skype will let you forward your Skype calls to another number for a fee). Edited July 5, 2018 by soisanuk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Theory Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 800 numbers are free within states, not from overseas. Thai phone companies charge connection fee to the US. Perhaps it will be free through a satellite phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 3 hours ago, Thaidream said: I call 800 numbers in the US all the time. I use AIS One-Two Call. You can use the following- with AIS only 003-1-800-xxx-xxxx 001-1-800-xxx-xxxx 009-1-8oo-xxx-xxxx Good to read that my results for 2nd and 3rd version are reproducible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony125 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Buy a Magic Jack ( Google it ) or have someone in US send you one. Attaches to your PC or internet router and gives you free calls to the US and Canada . Also it gives you a US number so that anyone in the US can call you for free. Costs about $35 a year. I use it to call any number in USA including Gov 800 numbers and you can talk for hours no charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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