Forum Discussion
Forced to enter additional digits after dialing an international call
Recently we added the Unlimited Stateside International calling plan to all of our business lines. Then, starting last week whenever we make an international call we get a recording that says "to complete your call please dial XX" where XX is some random two digit number. I looked this up and found on this page: Make an international call which says, "
Things you should know
When calling some countries, you may hear an automated message prompting you to enter a random digit between 0 and 9 in order to complete the call. T-Mobile added this extra step to help prevent fraud, and it's only needed when calling certain international locations."
Of course we were not advised of this when we added the Stateside International Calling feature and to make matters worse it's not just to "certain international locations"- its on EVERY international call.
Over 90% of our international calls are to the UK and the UK is hardly a high fraud calling destination
This is causing a lot of distress for our users. And TMobile should take the same approach other carriers take- use surveillance software to detect fraud and unusual calling patters and put the recording on those accounts and not just on every international call from every phone.
We need to get this removed ASAP from all of our lines or at the minimum for calls to the UK ad EU. These are not high fraud destinations.
Hey there!
Welcome to our Support Community! Having to dial extra digits just to initiate an international call can be frustrating and I'm sorry it's causing distress to users. This is a feature that cannot be disabled at this time but the request for the option has been forwarded.
- msokrent7Newbie Caller
Amanda thanks for your reply. I have to be honest and tell you that Tmobile putting this on our account w/out any advance notice and having it activate on all international calls rather than just "some countries" as stated on your FAQ is very annoying, disappointing and frankly unprofessional. I'm considering moving my 6 lines back to AT&T if you want to know the truth. As stated in my earlier message, I'd completely understand if this were to come on to calls with high fraud issues (like Africa and some parts of Asia), but to the UK and EU? That's just absurd. Also since the call is originating on a TMO handset that's registered on the TMO network- what kind of fraud is TMO protecting against. Is this an admission by TMO that their network is not secure and that digital handsets can be compromised? Not good...
- janielleNewbie Caller
I am seriously considering switching four phone and iPad lines due to the additional digit entry. T-mobile has a way for customers to block their accounts from making international calls if they choose not to use this feature. In case T-mobile forgot, I am paying for this service. I don't want, need, nor asked to have additional fraud prevention added to my phone. I consistently call the same international numbers and I consistently have to enter the two digits. This is unsafe while dialing with handsfree in my car. I either have to pick up my phone, unlock, and enter the code or I have to go through the menus in my car. Neither are safe while driving.
I asked T-mobile to discount my bill due to the additional time I have to waste every week adding in their new codes and they declined. I spent about an hour on the phone arguing to have this service taken off my line, which was also declined. The girl was very rude and transferred me to tech support with no information so I had to reverify my entire account with the second guy.This is very clearly a T-mobile problem with fraudulent calls but instead of T-mobile handling it themselves, they make their customers problem.
- tmo_amandaBandwidth Buff
Hey there!
Welcome to our Support Community! Having to dial extra digits just to initiate an international call can be frustrating and I'm sorry it's causing distress to users. This is a feature that cannot be disabled at this time but the request for the option has been forwarded.
- orodrig23Transmission Trainee
You may request to remove this feature through T-Mobile Customer Care (1-800-937-8997 or 611 from T-Mobile phone). It may take 5-7 days to take effect if approved.
- msokrent7Newbie Caller
Hi- take a look at the reply from the TMO rep above where she says "This is a feature that cannot be disabled at this time but the request for the option has been forwarded.".
What makes you think then that I can call C/S and get it disabled? I did call them and they said the same thing that Amada said above...so if you know any secrets I'd truly appreciate it.
Thanks!
- miketConnection Cadet
Is yours a business account or a family type account?
- orodrig23Transmission Trainee
Well yeah I was pretty much saying that you can request but it's not a guarantee removal. So no hidden secrets here sorry about that.
- tmo_amandaBandwidth Buff
I'd really be bummed to see you leave over this policy. I understand that it takes a few more seconds to make a call and that you don't agree with how it's set-up. Trust me, the feedback has been passed along to be able to remove this feature at the account owner's request.
- miketConnection Cadet
Amanda -
IF user makes calls to many of the same numbers - those numbers are programmed into user's phone as a speed dial. Having to enter 2 more digits means he/she has to bring up a dial pad. (Not just click on contact's name.)
We only make a few intl. calls FROM U.S. - and just have phones programmed to route all intl. calls (except Canada/Mexico) via Google Voice. One cent/min. to many countries. We have made use of the 20cent/min calling from intl. locations. (and free calling to U.S. when on wifi).
- miketConnection Cadet
You can set most (all?) phones to automatically route intl. calls via Google Voice. I don't know, but wouldn't this be cheaper?
Obviously, TM shouldn't make you do this.
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