OneidaTelephone

Consumer Information

Warning: Emergency Calls on Party Lines

New York State law requires you to hang up a party line telephone immediately when told the line is needed for an emergency call. The law defines an “emergency call” as a call “to a police or fire department, or for medical aid or ambulance service, necessitat ed by a situation in which human life or property is in jeopardy and prompt summoning of aid is essential.” Complaints If you have a complaint or service problem, please call the busi ness office at 315-865-5201. Should the problem require further assistance, ask to speak to a Supervisor. We are here to help. Unresolved Complaints “If the telephone company fails to satisfactorily resolve a service or billing complaint within a reasonable period of time, customers may refer their problems to the Office of Consumer Services of the New York State Public Service Commission by writing to: 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 or by calling 1-800-342-3377.”

Annoyance Calls If you receive a malicious or annoying phone call, hang up. Don’t keep talking. That is what the caller wants. If the calls persist, please contact your Telephone Business Office. Our represen tatives are specially trained to help you. In difficult cases, our Annoyance Call Bureau will work closely with you and police offi cials to catch offenders. It is a crime under both Federal and New York law to make a telephone call for annoying or harassing purposes or, in the case of the Federal law, to knowingly permit a telephone under one’s control to be used for such purposes. This includes calls in which the caller remains silent, as well as those in which the offender is threatening or obscene. Other Utilities Unresolved complaints concerning electric, gas and private wa ter companies also can be referred to the Office of Consumer Services of the New York State Public Service Commission by writing to: 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 or by calling 1-800-342-3377. For complaints concerning the improper disconnection of or refusal to provide electric or gas service, call toll free 1-800-342-3355.

3

Holland Patent, NY