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Question About "Smartec"

By ThriftyFun.com Staff
Does anyone know of a long distance company named "Smartec" in Hollywood, CA? It says it charges one (1) penny (1 cent) a minute anywhere in the USA, any time, with no monthly fees. They give no phone # for their company just an address. They'll accept cash, money orders, personal check. They have a website but give no info on this deal. Does this sound too good to be true? They sell cards selling at $39. 00 for 3900 minutes., etc. I would appreciate any comments on this "deal" if anyone can please help. Thanks in advance.

Beve

Answers: Question About "Smartec"

Read answers for this question below.
By Jimmy (Guest Post) 06/11/2004

Maybe you check www.click4prepaid.com they have trustworthy calling cards that show low rates and they are BBB approved

By
12/04/2000

I would be leery of a telecommunications company that doesn't have a phone!

Also, a lot of calling cards with a super-low per minute rate charge a hefty connection fee for each phone call made.
I have been using BigZoo.com's virtual calling card for almost a year and recommend trying it out.

It's 3.9 cents a minute for calls using their toll-free access number, 2.9 cents a minute for calls using their local access numbers (not available in many cities yet).

You purchase minutes online and get your access number and PIN from the Website, so there's no actual card.

One nifty feature is a monthly report of all calls you've made, including phone numbers and call duration.

The only drawback I've found is that the surcharge for payphone calls is 55 cents. Some other cards (like Sam's Club) charge less. Good luck!

Jennifer Dyer

By
12/04/2000

I don't know about Smartec, but there is a GREAT long distance option at http://www.bigzoo.com They offer local calls from 1.9 cents and long distance from 2.9 cents/minute. Great international rates too. It's a dial-around and you pre-pay like a calling card. It's saved me hundreds over this past year.

Robin

By
11/30/2000

I have never heard of Smart-tec, but I do know of a gas station around here that does sell phone cards for a penny a minute. They start out at $10.00. I would check with The Better Business Bureau.

Susan - a reader

By
11/30/2000

I've been using Vartech for 6 months. The charge is 5 cents a min. inter-state and intra-state. There is no extra monthly charge and no need to change a carrier.or sign up. I just dial 10-10-811 before dialing 1-area code-number. My bill comes with my regular phone bill.

Kate

By
11/30/2000

Right after we received this question we started receiving this spam from Smartec. I talked to a relative that sells phone cards at a 5 cent a minute rate. She feels like this must be a scam because of the rate.

For the following reasons we wouldn't recommend buying from Smartec: The form, because they will only take check, cash or money order, they only include a mailing address (no phone number or web site) and use unsolicited email as their advertising vehicle are all red flags as far as we are concerned, not to mention the "too good to be true" price.

Susan - The Editor

By
11/30/2000

The name sounds familiar, but I don't know why. Before sending any money, check with the Better Business Bureau, and/or the Postmaster General. Mail fraud is a big deal and they (the post office) keep files on thousands of scams. Another thing you might want to think about... Is the company's address a physical address, or a post office box?

MaryKaye

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