DEAR SUN SPOTS: Buyer beware! I’m hoping to give everyone a heads’ up on one of the prepaid long-distance phone cards available at local stores.

The carrier is IDT and not Verizon any more. They charge a 17 percent surcharge for each call made! I was horrified.

I purchased a 350-minute card and before I even called my sister in Texas, they deducted 52 minutes. I couldn’t believe it.

I called the company, and someone said it’s a one-time surcharge — whatever that is. The next time I called my sister, they took 44 minutes.

So for two 20-minute calls, they took 96 minutes. Unbelievable.

I tried to return the card to the store, but they weren’t interested in helping me. I tried IDT again to talk to a supervisor to no avail.

The Better Business Bureau was concerned and said to call the Federal Communications Commission, which said to call the Federal Trade Commission, which did file a complaint.

So I am stuck with the card averaging 60 cents a minute. It’s unethical. So please let people know. Also, if anyone knows honest long-distance phone cards, please publish that as well. Thank you. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: You are not alone in complaining about IDT. According to an online search, many people have had similar problems.

At telecomlawmonitor.com, it says that “In 2011, the FCC was extremely active in the prepaid calling card area, proposing $25 million in fines and investigating several other prepaid card providers. While the FCC has exclusive jurisdiction over prepaid cards when provided by common carriers, the Federal Trade Commission also has jurisdiction over non-carrier marketers of prepaid calling cards.”

This means that the FCC is in charge if a phone company sells calling cards, but the FTC rules if another business sells them.

Failing to sufficiently disclose the rates charged for calls is the most common complaint. One site said that one problem is that some of the biggest users of calling cards are immigrants, who may not speak English well and thus may be unaware they are being overcharged.

One way around calling cards is a cellphone. Despite all the focus on smartphones and fancy features, you can still get a cheap plan that offers free calling time at night and on weekends. A simple phone is often free with a one- or two-year contract.

Another option is to add your phone to a family member’s. Sun Spots added her mother to her Verizon Wireless plan for $20 a month. (Other wireless phone providers offer similar deals.) This means all her calls to Mom are free, and Mom can use the phone on weekends to call friends and family for no charge. An added bonus is Mom can keep the phone in her pocket so in case of an emergency she can call for help.

For those who don’t live in an area with good cell coverage, Sun Spots does not have any brilliant recommendations. Perhaps readers will have suggestions.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m downsizing my perennial garden this summer and fall and have lots of orange lilies, the kind you see growing along country roads, to give away.

If you’re interested, please give me a call to arrange a time to come and dig them up. I have the shovel, you just need to bring plastic-lined boxes.

I also have yellow evening primrose and some ladies mantle. I need to get this done as soon as possible. Call any time after 8 a.m. — Dee, 783-2888,  trinkntres@exploremaine.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thanks to the people who called me with information on the turntable for my son (Aug. 14 letter). He found one and now is very happy! — Judy in Lewiston

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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