A collect call is a type of telephone call that charges the recipient for the telephone call. It usually applies for calls from jail since almost all jails refuse to pay for telephone calls. That’s why calls from jails will always be collected.
The cost of the calls that would be charged to the recipient would be very high because the prison cooperates with the telephone network provider to share the profits. This phenomenon surely leads many people to try figuring out how to accept collect calls from jail on their cell phone for free.
How to Accept Collect Calls from Jail on Cell Phone for Free?
A free call option for collect calls may not be available, but the cost of collecting calls from jail can be decreased. Depending on the telephone network provider you choose, the cost for collecting calls will vary.
Unfortunately, we can say that you cannot really accept calls from jail on your cell phone for free—you’ll still be charged. Even though there is only one option to collect calls from jail on a cell phone for free through Google Voice, it’s very complicated and energy-draining since almost all prisons do not allow inmates to bring cell phones to jail. However, the Google Voice option can be used if both the caller and the recipient use cell phones.
You can really accept collect calls from jail on your cell phone based on the telephone call package you select from your provider—but it’s not free at all. Collect calls being accepted will depend on your cell phone’s plan. If you select the option for collect calls, you’re part of the way there. Once again, it’s not free.
There is one option that may not come as a surprise given the call charges associated with collect calls. But, it is also not free; instead, you just have to add funds to your inmate account so they can contact you via prepaid calls from jail.
To add funds to your inmate account, you can use third parties such as JPay, GTL Financial, Securus, etc. Then, the inmate can use the money you sent just for phone calls. So far, it’s much cheaper to add funds to their account than allow them to make collect calls.
How Does Collect Calls Work?
Collecting calls works with an automated system that will notify you that you have a phone call. Here, you can choose to accept or reject the call. If you accept the collect call, you will see the call on your next phone bill.
Of course, different network providers will also have different charging systems. For example, AT&T charges for 20 minutes of a collect call. However, these calls cannot be made from a pay phone to an AT&T cell phone.
However, it’s not easy, even if your cell phone plan is with AT&T. It means that the person who contacts you cannot just call your cell phone number, they instead have to call 1-800-CALL-ATT and choose the option to collect wireless when asked. At which point, they need to enter your cell phone number.
To ensure whether your cell phone provider allows you to accept collect calls or not, you have to check with your provider, either by contacting them or checking your plan, either via an online account or a physical contractual agreement.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
