How do I program my TRACFONE?
Just call Topp Telecom at 1-800-867-7183 and press the prompt for activations.
An operator will quickly talk you through the manual programming by giving
you a set of codes to be entered into the phone. This process puts the information
into your phone for your local area. In the event you move, simply call
Topp Telecom to reprogram the phone for your new local area.
How is my phone activated for use?
The programming information is then forwarded by Topp Telecom to the local
cellular carrier so that they can ACTIVATE your phone so you can receive
service. You do not need to call any local cellular carriers to check on
an activation. Please refer all questions to Topp Telecom at 1-800-867-7183.
How do I know if my TRACFONE is activated and ready to use?
You must check to see if your TRACFONE is activated by placing a Test Call
to it. The Test Call is the first call you must make TO your TRACFONE from
WITHIN THE LOCALLY PROGRAMMED CALLING AREA. To place the Test Call you must:
1. Turn your TRACFONE on (you cannot receive a call on your phone unless
it is powered on).
2. Pull your antenna all they way up.
3. Make sure you have at least 4 bars of signal strength on the phone display
(if you have less than 4 bars move to an area where the signal strength
is stronger such as an open window or away from tall structures).
4. Place a call FROM a local landline (home or pay phone) TO the TRACFONE.
Don't answer the phone, it will deduct units. If the phone rings, it is
active.
5. Then place a call FROM your new TRACFONE TO the local landline. This
call is important because it loads your phone number into the switch of
your locally programmed calling area. Again, don't answer the phone as it
will deduct units.
Your TRACFONE is now activated and ready to use!
What if I place the Test Call To my TRACFONE, and instead of it ringing,
I receive a recorded message?
If this happens, wait the full Activation time and try placing the Test
call again. You may have called before Topp had time to Activate your phone.
If you did wait the full Activation time and still receive a recorded message,
immediately call customer service at 1-800-867-7183 from another phone,
and the Topp Operator will remedy the situation.
What area does TRACFONE service?
The TRACFONE Prepaid Cellular Service is available in 100% of the cellular
markets in the domestic United States including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico
and the Virgin Islands. This service is available wherever there is cellular
coverage.
How often do I need to purchase and redeem a TRACFONE Prepaid Cellular
Card?
You must purchase and redeem a prepaid cellular card when you run out of
airtime units or before your access time expires, whichever comes first.
The amount of units you use is entirely up to you. The minimum purchase
amount is 30 units. Your access time expires every 60 days. Your access
time expiration date will show up on your phone display every time you turn
on the TRACFONE.
What happens if Topp Telecom tells me that I have airtime not paid for?
It means the Topp Telecom's system of controls has detected unmatched usage
of your phone, signifying unauthorized use of our service. You will not
be able to redeem any further airtime and your service will be immediately
terminated.
How will I know I need a new prepaid cellular card without making a call?
If the phone is out of airtime units, it will display ÒTANK EMPTY.Ó Where
can I purchase a Prepaid Cellular Card? ww.prepaidcellular.com or ww.prepaidcellularcards.com
What happens if I forget to purchase and redeem airtime?
If in the event you do not redeem a prepaid cellular card every sixty days,
service will become suspended until you redeem a prepaid cellular card at
which time we will reactivate your service and may have to reassign you
with another phone number.
What will I be charged to use my TRACFONE?
The TRACFONE deducts units at a rate of 1 unit per minute of local calls,
1.5 for long distance and 3 units per minute for roaming calls. The only
charges for the use of TRACFONE is the prepaid cellular card you must purchase
every (60) sixty days to keep your service. If your service should be deactivated,
you will just need to purchase additional airtime. There is NO fee for reactivation!
911 calls are FREE on the TRACFONE, provided you press the 9 key instead
of dialing 911. REMEMBER, with TRACFONE there are NO MONTHLY FEES, NO TELECOMMUNICATION
TAXES and FEES, NO MONTHLY AIRTIME EXPIRATION, RELOCATION or REACTIVATION
FEES.
Why would my phone number be cancelled if it were not active for a period
of two months?
Because we are absorbing substantial line charges every month when we issue
you a phone number. We have no way of knowing if you will buy more airtime.
The only way we can stop the line charge expense to us, is by canceling
the phone numbers that are inactive. All it takes to get your phone active
again is to purchase a TRACFONE Prepaid Cellular Card and a call to our
Customer Service Center, and we will give you a new number.
If my service is deactivated, will I lose my airtime units?
No! You will not lose any airtime units. The units remaining on your phone
will carry over when your service is reactivated.
What should I do if I move to another
city and need to change to a new local number? If relocating to a new
home area in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, simply
call Topp Telecom at 1-800-867-7183. You will be reassigned a new local
cellular phone number. The changing of local numbers can only be done four
(4) times in a given year per subscriber. Any unused airtime units will
remain in the phone.
What is Roaming? Roaming is when you and your TRACFONE travel outside
your locally programmed calling area. Once you travel outside this local
calling area, the Roaming Light will show up on your TRACFONE display. Once
you return to your local calling area, this icon will disappear. The Topp
Operator will give you special instructions on how to receive calls on your
TRACFONE when roaming outside the local area.
Roaming Instructions
The TRACFONE automatically switches to roam when you leave your area and
airtime is deducted at 3 units per minute talk time. Minutes are rounded
up when calculating unit deduction. Check your operations manual to see
what the phone will display when roaming; often there is a ÒRMÓ or ÒROAMÓ
lighted display. You can place calls on your TRACFONE while roaming; however,
to receive calls you must activate the;
Follow Me Roaming Feature:
To activate this feature, you must find out what Carrier Band your phone
is programmed on. To locate your Carrier Band, look at your TRACFONE display
on the bottom center of the screen. Your screen will display either A or
B. If your TRACFONE displays the Carrier Band B, to enable the Follow Me
Roaming feature you must:
1. Before leaving your local area, press * 18 + Send + End
2. Turn your phone off for 30 minutes, so that your TRACFONE will register
this code into the local calling switch.
3. Then you may leave your local calling area and receive calls! You must
initiate the Roaming Feature once every 24 hours while roaming.
4. To disable this Roaming Feature when you return to your local calling
area, Press *19 + Send + End. If your TRACFONE displays Carrier Band A,
to enable the Follow Me Roaming Feature you must:
5. Before leaving your local area, press * 350 + Send + End
6. Turn your phone off for 30 minutes, so that your TRACFONE will register
this code into the local calling switch.
7. Then you may leave your local calling area and receive calls! You must
initiate this Roaming Feature once every 24 hours while roaming.
8. To disable this Roaming Feature when you return to your local calling
area, Press * 351 + Send + End.
If your TRACFONE displays a Carrier Band anything other than A or B, contact
TRACFONE Technical Support Department by dialing 1-800-867-7183.
What is Fraud Force? (sometimes referred to as authentication or
cloning protection)
Fraud Force are areas of the United States that require you to dial out
on your TRACFONE with the use of a 4-digit pin number. This requirement
is for security reasons, and will help protect your phone from being used
by any unauthorized person. Refer to your operating manual to use the AUTO-STORE
pin feature that will allow you to store your 4 digit pin in memory so that
you only have to hit send twice when prompted by the tone in areas requiring
pin code usage. Topp Telecom is committed to detecting cellular fraud. Cellular
Fraud is defined as the unauthorized use, tampering or manipulation of a
cellular phone or service. Cellular Fraud is considered a federal crime.
Those who are caught will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Topp
Telecom reserves the right to discontinue service to any TRACFONE subscriber
without reimbursement of the cost of the phone and/or purchases of airtime
cards.
What if my phone is cloned?
In the event your cellular number is cloned, your TRACFONE may display
"No Service". Call Topp Telecom so that a new number may issued at no charge.
There will be no loss of any prepaid cellular airtime on the TRACFONE.
Where can I purchase accessories to go with my TRACFONE?
You can contact us by phone at 1-877-YCELLULAR (923-5585) or visit online
at ww.cellularphoneaccessory.com or ww.prepaidcellular.com
What should I do if I experience problems with my TRACFONE?
If you experience any problems with your TRACFONE, please call Topp Telecom
Customer Service at 1-800-867-7183. The Topp Operator will be happy to assist
you with any TRACFONE related problems that may arise. The Topp Telecom
Customer Service hours of operation are 8:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. Eastern Standard
Time, seven days a week.
What is the warranty on my TRACFONE?
Topp Telecom guarantees the customer with a fully operational TRACFONE.
Topp Telecom does NOT issue refunds, but will gladly repair or replace any
TRACFONE that is defective for up to 1 year from the date of purchase. Refurbished
phone will have a ninety-(90) day warranty. Accessories such as adapters,
desktop chargers and batteries have a 90-day replacement warranty. To obtain
a Return Authorization Number for TRACFONE products, please contact Topp
Telecom at 1-800-299-7280. The Topp Telecom warranty does not cover customer
abuse of the phone, such as scratched display, water damage, broken case,
broken antenna, and damage as a result of dropping the phone or opening
the phone casing.
What are the airtime rates?
TRACFONE's airtime rates include all monthly fees, telecommunication taxes,
connection fees, excise taxes, tolls and service fees. With TRACFONE unused
airtime never expires and there are never relocation, cancellation or reactivation
fees. TRACFONE airtime cards are sold in different denominations so that
it can address different usage patterns. To truly calculate how airtime
rates compare, you will need to do the math and factor all of the above
fees that are included with TRACFONE.
Is there a contract?
No. With prepaid cellular from TRACFONE, there are no contracts, deposits,
credit checks, phone bills or monthly service fees. There is not even an
age limit!
What if I don't redeem a prepaid cellular card every 60 days?
With TRACFONE, you only need to redeem a prepaid cellular card every 60
days to maintain your cellular service. If you go past 60 days, your service
will be suspended. All you have to do is purchase and redeem a prepaid cellular
card to continue service; a new number may be issued. For additional prepaid
cellular cards, visit us online at ww.prepaidcellularcards.com.
How does my TRACFONE differ from a regular telephone?
Your TRACFONE is a cellular telephone and operates as a mobile phone, therefore
it does not work exactly the same as your home telephone, meaning you may
have an occasional interruption. Your phone will work well in town, but
in some rural areas you may have an occasional service problem. Some areas
in the country do not have proper cellular coverage.
How can I make sure my TRACFONE
does not continue deducting units after I have completed my call?
Press END after you have completed your call, otherwise units will continue
to deduct. Topp Telecom does not refund lost units.
STILL HAVE A QUESTION?
PrePaidCellular.com is here to help! Friendly and informed customer service
representatives are ready to help you online. Click
here or call 1-877-923-5585.