PHONE LINES

VOICE MAIL CHANGES

Effective November 1, 1999, the State's voice mail system provided by Alltel, was upgraded to a new version. Subscribers to voice mail saw no change in their service other than the a new voice mail access number. As a reminder, the number that needs to be dialed is 9-323-0000. The user guides that are currently being used are still correct and can be used with this newer version.

As a result of this upgrade, we are now able to offer lower rates to our customers. The following shows a few of the differences:

Just as a reminder, update your personal greeting regularly -- at least daily. Be brief but concise.

• Check your mailbox several times daily and return calls in a timely manner.
• Never abuse the privilege of voice mail by using it to screen your calls.
• Always ask your callers to inform you of the nature of their call, their name and telephone number.
• Be sure to tell your callers in the greeting that they may press zero to be transferred to a live person. No caller should ever experience "Voice Mail Jail."

2000 STATE TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES

Thank you for your input for the 2000 Nebraska State Government Directory. We are in the process of updating all of the individual employee's information as well as each agency's information. We are anticipating the Directory to be available in early February 2000. Your agency will be contacted one last time in December to update the agency information pages in the front of the directory.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS

Another calling card scam!!

The Division of Communications has recently been made aware of another scam involving AT&T calling cards. The "scammer" will obtain the pay phone numbers from airports and continually call the pay phone. Usually they will pick ones with the ringers disabled. When a user picks up the pay phone receiver to make a call, the "scammer" then generates a dial tone or connects to a another line so that you still hear the dial tone. The "scammer" then starts recording as you dial your calling card number. This way they can figure out what the number is based on the tones.

To prevent this from happening, listen when you pick up the receiver. If you hear a funny sound or a distant dial tone, immediately hang up and get a new dial tone. Then make your call. By hanging up and using the second dial tone, the "scammer" will not have a chance to call back in time to access your calling card number, as the line will be busy.

Problems with your telephone service??

As a reminder, if you have any problems with your telephone service such as problems with the equipment, picking up your telephone and not having dial tone or not being able to dial long distance, make sure you contact the Division of Communications. DO NOT call the local or long distance company yourself. Please call either Bill at 402/471-3720, Lana at 402/471-7890 or Carter at 402/471-4702.

New Employee -- Matt Easton began work for the Division of Communications on November 1 as a cable installer in our Wiring Section.

The Division of Communications does accept Visa and Mastercard for the purchase of the State Government directory or payment of video conferencing charges or your monthly telephone bill if you are not a State agency. Contact LaDonna at 402/471-4701 if you have any questions.

DIRECTORY LISTING CLOSING DATES:

The following commercial telephone directories close their listings in the near future. If you have any offices listed in the local directories for these towns, please review your listings and contact LaDonna at 402-471-4701 if you have any changes.