Well, after all this time, MCI has finally gotten me. Their automated message says that since I receive calls from an inmate, I need to call their Customer Service number at 1-877-873-8567.
Only problem, they are only open Monday-Friday, 8am-11pm East Coast time.

Once you call them (because if you don't, they block your phone until you do) they tell you that you will need to open an account with them because they are changing the way they bill. The rates stay the same. Then, they ask you to FAX a copy of your latest monthly phone bill, showing your name, phone number, and address, plus, write a 4 digit PIN number at the bottom. Fax number is :1-866-441-7285

They tell you that once you fax the copy, call back in 24 hours to set up an account (I called back after 4 hours) and your line will be clear.

Each time your loved one tries to call, you will receive their automated message to call Customer Service until you set up an account.

Now.....onward to deal with accounting at Avenal...(sheesh!..I know it's Monday but, c'mon....:()

it's terrible. Once you hit your limit of $100.00 they cut the phone off even if your bill isn't late, plus they are closed on the weekends so you can't make a payment. =o( Customer service is horrible. =o( My finance talked to me about going through someone else, but that was just a con job they charged you more per call just to connect. Their catch is that it's cheaper a minute. Be careful in the long run the service plus the call, end up costing you more. =o( FRUSTRATED!!!

Well all I have to say is MCI SUCKS BIG TIME !
:angry:

I second that River Rose!

Well all I have to say is MCI SUCKS BIG TIME !
:angry:

You should really look into PCO ...they are worth it especially if you are using MCI !!!!!

I had to do that change over to the MCI account a few months ago. MCI sucks.
Just another way to screw the loved ones of inmates over.
Like we don't have enough to deal with already.
I call MCI every 2 weeks and make a payment, regardless if I am close to the $100 limit or not. I put credit on the phone all the time...I'm not gonna let the phone get to that $100 limit and get blocked cause I can only imagine what a pain in the butt that would be to get it unblocked.

Do you have to change your phone company? I have verizon and I like it plus I have my dsl and my 7 cents a minute to Mexico. Or does it just affect your long distance?

No. It just affects calls from prisons. For me, it's actually cheaper than PCO but, I keep the PCO account so my son can call his sister.

Is there a number I can call besides the Monday thru Friday one to find out if my phone has been blocked? I was told there is an automated service for this in the "prison phones" section, but I will be damned if I can find the number.

Naw...They only work Monday through Friday, but they are there until 11pm.
MCI unblock=1-888-415-0377.

LOL...ya, I finally after trying 3 different #'s for them and getting the same recording accepted that. I guess I am calling tomorrow, well in the morning now.:cool:


Naw...They only work Monday through Friday, but they are there until 11pm.
MCI unblock=1-888-415-0377.

I was just given another number for MCI to unblock phones usually without much of a wait also.

1-877-873-8567 for UNBLOCKING also

i use the 877 873 8567, there you can call anytime and make a payment and its usually not a long wait if any. 1/2 the people at MCI are hard to understand and hang up on you. how rude...

http://tickers.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;10101;17/st/20061115/e/Sweetheart+in+my+arms/dt/-3/k/cd5b/event.png

OMG, MCI sucks. I set up my account with them on 2 lines and was told only 1 line per household. so i cancelled 1 and kept the other. i had to pay it before the block was removed so i did. now they tell me they made a mistake and i owe $0.01 and if i dont pay that then i will have a block placed on my account until it is paid. Its amazing that they cant even give me a credit after all the money we all pay them so we can talk to our loved ones.

So I found this site the other day and boy am I glad I found it. You can make payments (helpful when its the weekend). No waiting on the phone or having to talk to people you cant understand. As long as you set up a password with MCI, you can access it. Also gives you quick access to your balance and so on... Hope this helps you too as it has helped me.

https://corrections.mci.com/login.aspx

I'm so tired of the phones not working and not receiving my calls....I sit and wait and wait when I have things I need to do or places I need to go...it sucks!

Anyone have an idea of who we complain to..MCI or CDCR? I'm sure they will turn around and tell us to contact the other one....but for what we pay.....we should get a reliable service....

Why don't you try "Call Forwarding"? I always have my calls transfered to my cell phone when Ileave the house so I don't miss my husbands phonecalls. Just don't let the phone company know your'e transferring te calls to your cell phone.

I tried call forwarding..not sure why it wouldn't work for me..I got all but my husbands calls....do I have to have something set up with my cell phone company and have a credit balance set up for collect calls??? I have Verizon for home and cell phone.

I have verizon cell phone too and dont have a problem. Thats weird that you dont get his calls. I get my fiances calls. At least you only have 2 months until your husband is home.