HELP ME Phone.com

                                    FAQs        

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about HelpMePhones^TM

Why is calling 911 always FREE, even with an un-activated cell phone? 

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules effective December 1, 1997 require cellular service providers (carriers) to accept and route all cellular 911 calls at no charge--everywhere in the United States--even if the phone making the call is un-activated or de-activated (that is, it does not have a monthly service contract.)  So why pay a monthly fee for a free emergency 911 service? 

I already have an old, de-activated cell phone left over from a previous calling plan.  Why not just use that for my emergency phone?

The following applies to "leftovers" and to phones you find at yard sales and pawn shops.  They might work.  Or work some of the time. The problem is, the FCC only requires carriers to accept the calls for free.  It doesn't require phone makers or sellers to program their phones to reach the nearest 911 operator in the quickest amount of time.  De-activated (and non-programmed) phones may or may not reach 911 depending on factors such as: How old is the phone?  Where was it made?  CELLtech^TM programming maximizes the HelpMePhone's capability to reach 911 and/or a cellular operator over the widest range of the nation.

Yard-sale or pawnshop phones are scary in other ways, too: How old is the battery?  Is the phone damaged in some hidden way?  Will it really work when you need it?  We only sell factory-fresh cell phones with new batteries and new chargers.  And all are CELLtech^TM programmed and tested before shipping.  

New phones, expert programming: That's what Portable Peace of Mind^TM is all about.  Or as one customer put it, "That kind of insurance is certainly worth the 50 bucks I'm paying for the CELLtech HelpMePhone."      

How does the cost of a HelpMePhone^TM compare with a prepaid cellular plan?

A prepaid cellular plan will be much more expensive over time.  Prepaid cellular cards expire in a limited time--usually a month or two--whether you use up the minutes or not.  Then you have to buy another chunk of time, which also expires.  In effect, prepaid programs are not much different from monthly-fee programs.  In contrast, the one-time cost of your HelpMePhone^TM is all you ever have to pay in order to be able to reach 911 anywhere, anytime, as many times as you need to. The only per-call costs you will incur is if you choose to use your HelpMePhone^TM to make collect or credit-card calls (see next question below).

Can I place other calls besides calls to 911?

In most areas, you can make outgoing collect and credit card calls with your CELLtech-programmed HelpMePhone^TM.  Credit card and collect calls cost up to $1.95 per minute (Of course, making a rare emergency collect or credit-card call is still much cheaper than a monthly service contract).

Will my HelpMePhone^TM accept incoming calls?

As delivered from us, HelpMePhones^TM will not accept incoming calls.  Many parents tell us that's a plus.  Remember, with a regular cellular plan, the minutes (and expenses) rack up anytime the phone is in use--whether the call is incoming or outgoing.  Parents want their kids to have a low-cost, reliable emergency phone to reach 911 or make an emergency collect call home--not an expensive chit-chat device. 

However, the HelpMePhone^TM can be activated for use with some cellular calling plans to allow two-way calling like any regular cell phone.  Check with companies such as Consumer Cellular for service availability in your area.

Is this phone simple enough for my kids to use?

Yes.  One-button 911 dialing makes HelpMePhone^TM simple enough for a five-year-old--and for people of any age who may be physically or mentally impaired.  Just punch the ON button and then the 1 button.  That's it.  You don't even have to press SEND.

Are instructions included with my HelpMePhone^TM?

Yes.  Simple, clear instructions tell you how to use the phone and chargers, and how to test 911 calling, including HelpMePhone's^TM 1-button 911 feature.

What if the HelpMePhone^TM won't reach a cellular 911 operator in my area?

CELLtech-programmed HelpMePhones^TM will reach a 911 operator from anywhere a regular, activated cell phone will. Test the phone following the instructions received with your phone.  If you are unable to reach a cellular operator in the area where you plan to use the phone, return it to us (see Contact Us) and we'll give you a full refund, including original shipping and handling.

What if your company gets bought out or goes out of the emergency cell phone business?  Will my HelpMePhone^TM still work?

Absolutely.  Your HelpMePhone^TM will work wherever, and for as long as, regular activated cell phones work, regardless of whether Fortson Communications, Inc. is in business.

What is your guarantee and refund policy?

Fortson Communications, Inc. is so confident of CELLtech^TM quality that we offer a full refund of the purchase price for 60 days from date of purchase if your HelpMePhone^TM is defective or malfunctions. CLICK Our Guarantee for more details.