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

[Melissa Ann Riccobono]

Thanks for this information. Just so people know, you can get phone numbers
free of charge by calling
1-800-free411. That's 1-800-373-3411. You do have to listen to a couple of
ads, and you have to talk to a machine, but it does work.
Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmd [mailto:nfbmd-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Reyazuddin,
Yasmin
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 3:18 PM
To: Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland; NFB of Maryland e-mail list
Subject: [Nfbmd] FW: Directory Assistance/ Maryland Office of People's
Counsel's Alert

 

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.