     ::: FREE LONG DISTANCE CALLING :::

                  The Switchboard
                   by Uncle Joe

   There are many types of services a phreak can use to obtain free
phone calls. What one must understand before going any further is
that calling long distance without paying is NOT all of phreaking.
This file contains merely the means to communicate with other phreaks
to discuss other aspects of telecommunications. True phreaks are not
those who just want free calls.

   Phreaking is more than MCI. It is CS/N, boxes, interrupting and
many other aspects. With this mind here is a look at long distance
with more than free calls in mind. Trying to understand how systems
work is more interesting.

Enough sermon.

   The local dial-ups are systems which use a local number in order
to call through to distant phones. These systems are very popular
among phreaks. They give good connections and are safer than other
methods and services.

   Basically, to use a local dial-up: 

   1) Call the local access number.  

   2) At the tone enter a code using Touch Tones.  

   3) Enter the destination number.  Connection is established.

   MCI is the most popular service of its kind. Joan Rivers has been
selling quite a few accounts for MCI. MCI is growing at an astounding
rate, which is good for phreaks since more customers means more codes
available to hack. The codes are 5 digits long.  MCI's two
subsidiaries, EXPRESSPHONE and MCI Credit Card, work much like their
big brother. With EXPRESSPHONE the bill is credited to the customer's
American Express card. MCI Credit Card codes are 7 digits long.

   SPRINT or SPC works exactly like MCI except the codes are 8 digits
long. SPRINT was one of the first long distance services.  Each
SPRINT code has its own travel code suffix which may be used from any
local number in the system. SPRINT is considered dangerous by
phreakers.

   METROPHONE is owned by Western Union and is very popular among
phreaks since there is an abundance of codes and little tracing.
Always be careful, though. The codes are 6 digits long.  To find out
your access number call 800-325-1403.

   AT&T, not to be outdone, offers the AT&T Calling Card. They are
usually used at college and airport payphones. To use a Calling Card
one calls the operator and ask to make a call using the card. Dialing
0+number on some phones produces a tone. Then the code can be
entered. Pressing the # key after each call will hang up the phone to
make multiple calls without re-entering the code. To call the number
to which the call will be billed to just dial CCCC at the tone (see
below).

   The code format for Calling Cards is: NPA-XXX-XXXX-CCCC.
NPA-XXX-XXXX is usually the area code and phone number of the number
the call is billed to. CCCC is a personal identification code added
for security. To get these codes scan phreak boards or get close to
someone at a public phone.

   The 800 services are not very popular among phreaks since they
rarely offer a good connection. But they are useful while on vacation
or where local access is not available.

   TravelNet is popular for an 800 service since it sustains both
voice and tone recognition. It has eight digits codes. The sum of the
first and last four digits usually equals 19.  To use voice
recognition: 1) Wait for "Authorization number, please." 2) Say each
digit slowly. After each digit you will hear a beep.  3) The voice
will repeat each grouping of digits. Answer "yes" or "no" if they are
correct or not.  3) If the code is correct use the same procedure to
enter the destination number.

   Tel-Tec has 6 digit codes and is the same as local services with
poor connections.

   LDX has many codes and offers fairly good connections. It is
becoming more popular among phreaks; many boards have an "LDX Hacker"
program. LDX is just like a local dial-up and uses 6 digit codes.

   Be careful when you phreak. Use trace tests and phreak from
payphones! If you speak with someone unfamiliar with phreaking while
using codes make sure they will not give your name and address if an
FBI agent calls.

800-521-8400 TravelNet
800-325-7222 LDX
800-323-3026 Tel-Tec
800-848-9000 Dimension 2000
800-843-0698 AllNet
800-621-1703
800-322-1415 Network I
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