[Nfbmd] FW: Directory Assistance/ Maryland Office of People's Counsel's Alert

[Reyazuddin, Yasmin]

Maryland Office of People's Counsel

ALERT

Verizon Reduces Free Directory Assistance Calls from 4 to 2 Calls

Effective October 16, 2013

 

Verizon Maryland has reduced the number of free directory assistance
calls from 4 to 2 calls per month effective October 16, 2013 for
landline (wired) telephone service.  Each directory assistance call
above 2 calls per month will cost $1.99 per call.  This change may
impact your clients, including Lifeline customers, if they rely on
landline service and 411 Directory Assistance from Verizon.

The Company took this action after a new law went into effect on October
1, 2013 permitting Verizon to do this and preventing the Commission from
denying the call reduction.  The law was passed after OPC successfully
opposed this change in two cases heard by the Public Service Commission.

 

OPC had opposed this change for a simple reason.  Even in this age of
smart phones and broadband access, adults who are older or with lower
incomes will be disproportionately impacted by this bill, since they are
more likely than other adults to rely on landline phones and have the
need for directory assistance. They will now be subject to additional
expenses if they make more than two calls per month.

These are some options for customers to obtain free Directory Assistance
information:

*         Internet:              www.verizon.com/white 

*         Hard copy residential directory:  Call 800-888-8448 to obtain
a paper or CD-ROM version of the white pages.

*         Physical or visual disabilities:  Verizon cannot charge for
directory assistance when these disabilities prevent a customer from
using a telephone directory.  If a customer has such disabilities, she
should contact Verizon to get this restriction in the customer's record.

If the customer with disabilities does not get a satisfactory response
from Verizon, she should contact the Public Service Commission to make a
complaint at 800-735-0474 or 800-735-2258 (TTY/Voice).

OPC also recommends that cell phone users without data plans should
check their cell phone plans for the cost of directory assistance calls
charged by their cell phone providers.  

 

 

 

Yasmin Reyazuddin 
Aging & Disability Services 
Montgomery County Government 
Department of Health & Human Services 
401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
Rockville MD 20850 
240-777-0311 (MC311) 
240-777-1556 (personal) 
240-777-1495 (fax) 
office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 

This message may contain protected health information or other
information that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient, please contact the sender by return mail and destroy
any copies of this material. 

Thank you.

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