RuralAlaska2022ASTAC

Consumer Information A Useful Guide

Will I Be Asked To Pay A Deposit? A deposit is asked for under the following circumstances: • If you have failed to establish a satisfactory credit history; • If you have similar service disconnected during the previous 12 months for failure to pay your telephone bill; or • If you have an unpaid, past due balance for telephone service. The need for a deposit from business customers will be determined on the basis of a number of factors, including the above. These are general deposit guidelines. If you need additional specific information, please call our Customer Experience Department. If I Pay A Deposit, When Will It Be Returned? We’ll review your account after you’ve been with us for one year, and if you’ve been making your payments when due, we’ll return your deposit as credit on your bill. Can I Have My New Home Or Addition Pre-wired For Phone Service? If you are remodeling or have a house, duplex or triplex under construction, we can install tele- phone wires so that they do not show. This pre-wiring must be done before wall framing is covered with wallboard. This service may have fees associated; please contact the Customer Experience Department to learn more.

For detailed information, see page 8 of this directory or contact our Customer Experience Department. Have A Phone Problem? If you have a problem with your phone service or billing, call our Customer Experience Department. Your Customer Experience Specialists have a basic responsibility to represent you to the company. They are specially trained to solve your telephone problems and to be sensitive to your needs. However, if you’re not satisfied, feel free to ask for the supervisor. If your problem can’t be solved by the supervisor, higher lev- els of management are available to help you. Remember, we’re here to serve you. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska is available should you wish to pursue any dispute by formal or informal complaint. How Do I Handle Unwanted, Obscene Or Crank Calls? You do not have to accept a collect call. If you do not want to talk to a person selling a product or service by telephone, just say “no thank you” and hang up. If you’re bothered by harassing or anonymous phone calls, try these techniques to discourage them: • Always hang up immediately at the first obscene word or if the person on the other end of the line doesn’t respond after you’ve said “hello” twice. • Don’t talk to the caller. This is what the per- son wants you to do. • Don’t give out any information or let the caller know if you’re alone. Teach your children to say, “Mom or Dad can’t come to the phone. May I take a message?” • Don’t be helpful and give out your number to people who say they have reached the wrong number, even if it’s long distance. • If the problem occurs continuously over an extended period, you should report it. Visit your local law enforcement agency to file a crime report.

What Services Do You Offer Disabled Persons?

Many services have been specially developed by the telephone industry to help those with hearing, sight, speech or motion impairments. If you have difficulty using the telephone, perhaps one of AK Relay’s services will help you.

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