skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

How to verify phone number at jack?

16 years ago

We have 3 phone lines. Two of the lines got crossed by the phone company doing cable splicing around the corner. A technician fixed it this morning. My question is, I used to be able to dial 970 and verify the number that that jack was connected to. The Technician told me (I think) that it is now 959-9982. That number doesn't work.

Does anyone know what the correct number is? We are on AT&T in Fairfield county, CT.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

greg_h
16 years ago
Use your cell phone and dial one of your 3 phone numbers. If it rings, then you know which line it is. If it doesn't ring, dial one of the other numbers, and so on.
heimert
16 years ago
or call out and check caller ID. Heck, call yourself on the line you know.
Related Discussions
Majic Jack Plus phone service
Q
Comments (9)
I think maybe we are getting it straightened out. I did finally get through to them and they certainly have tried everythihng. Apparently someplace some one mispelled my name and for some reason someone got the credit card mixed up. they had 2 different names and 2 different credit card numbers and codes. A real mess. They have cancelled everything and started over fresh to register. They'll send me an email to-morrow and hopefully it will be all straightened out. From the few calls I did make on it, l was well pleased so think it is good to be determined. Thanks everyone.
...See More
Cell phone as Home phone
Q
Comments (34)
I guess it all depends on how much you call from home versus away from home or on the road. We use pre-paid cellular. The new phones were free after rebate and my wife and I each spend about $5-$7/month for the STI Mobile/Sprint service. We only make quick 1-2 minute calls for necessary reasons and it works fine anywhere in the country that Sprint covers. Voice mail and text messaging are turned off on both cellular phones. Other cellular providers are now joining the pre-paid game with good deals. We are still stuck with the old telephone company for home and home office lines. I must have the reliability and quality of a landline for my business. I do pay too much for long distance, toll-free, and local service for my business compared to the low rates available today. Bills are typically $35-$50/month for relatively low volume usage. The last time I switched was from MCI to Ameritech(i.e. SBC/AT&T/who knows?) It was a pain to switch, but the new lower rates were good for a year before they went up again. Our home phone line just went up to $22/month for local phone service. It started at $18 several years ago. Pre-paid long distance service is $.025/minute using cards from companies like Cheap Phonecards. The latest cards don't require you to enter the pin every time from home and you can program the 800 access number into speed dial. The long distance cards are great from hotels too. We are seriously considering the switch to broadband phone service, but our local numbers are not yet portable for Vonage or the others. We are just outside of their large markets. Broadband cable internet is $30/month and speed is around 300K or 10 times faster than dial-up. It is fast enough for our needs. The total bill (excluding my business) is around $67/month for all phones and broadband for my wife and I. Here is a link that might be useful: Cheap Phone Cards
...See More
How to make evry room phone jack receiving the DSL signal?
Q
Comments (23)
By definition, a dry loop has no dial tone nor battery. It is a 'raw' copper pair. HOWEVER, many of the telco's don't do it this way any more, especially as far as DSL is concerned. They charge more for a dry loop implementation. Hence, they may TARIFF DSL 'dry-loop' service as something with battery and perhaps even dial tone, but it's not a dry loop after that. And assigning the line a number is not a surprise either. Where I used to work, it was standard to assign a number to a DSL dry loop. But it was a number you could not dial (1nn-xxxx). It was simply a place holder for the billing system.
...See More
How do I remove inactive phone wires?
Q
Comments (23)
@Am Rose, thanks for your posts, I'm currently trying to minimize RF exposure and am looking for how to remove the unused coax and landline wires from my walls. Appreciate the confirmation that they act as antennas. For some reason the walls of my new place emit insanely high RF levels, even when power to the whole city block was out. I wish someone actually responded with how to remove the wires from the walls XD Thanks for your input though, and sorry you have symptoms from RF exposure... I've found that earthing my bed on the ground floor, or at least sleeping in a very low RF area (with no cell phones or wifi) as near the ground as feasible, helps. As well as staying hydrated, so that the body can recover from the taxations of the day.
...See More
mikie_gw
16 years ago
I dial my phone number and a recording says;
You have dialed a party on your own line,
please hang up and wait for the other party to answer.
So I hang up.

The phine - It rings so I answer it.
The recorded operator type message said to please hold,
that I had an incoming call.

So I held and held for a long time and suddenly realized,
Surprisingly it's was me calling.
dozer
16 years ago
call somebody else with caller ID and have them tell you what the number is that you called from.
jtwtech
16 years ago
Where I live, it's 530#
Ron Natalie
16 years ago
Here in DC area verizon land 811 gives you the number.
However, having your cell phone around makes a dandy way to test things.
noffo
16 years ago
I remember an old TV show, think it was Bob Newhart (with Suzanne) where they put in an unlisted phone line and forgot the number. They dialed the operator and asked if she could give them the number, but she wouldn't even though that was the number they were calling on.

If you know the right people, 911 can also tell you your number. Don't try that at home.
heimert
16 years ago
noffo -- that happened to me recently. we rented a beach house, but the phone didn't have the number on it. Called operator and they said they can't provide the number. Not sure why, but you can't fight with them.
Ron Natalie
16 years ago
Call someone with caller id. Works unless the number is blocked. Call a toll-free number that will read the number info for you. That works pretty reliably and is more difficult to block.
furnone
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. I know about all the work-arounds. It is much more convenient however, to plug a handset into the jack and press redial and have the system return the number. I'll get the number from a technician next time they come out which seems to be about every 3-4 months since they put a switching station in around the corner.

Related Stories

VINTAGE STYLE Dial Into Old Phones for Decor With Character

By Mary Jo Bowling

Give a nostalgic nod to the past with vintage telephones, working or not. Booths and sawdust optional.

EXTERIORS Special Delivery: Keeping Your Packages Safe

By Mary Jo Bowling

Online sales are up, and so is the number of boxes delivered to homes. Here’s how to keep them beyond the grasp of porch pirates

LIFE How to Navigate an Extended Guest Stay

By Alison Hodgson

Keep sharing living quarters a positive experience by pondering the answers to these questions in advance

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Power to the People: Outlets Right Where You Want Them

By Mitchell Parker

No more crawling and craning. With outlets in furniture, drawers and cabinets, access to power has never been easier

PETS So You're Thinking About Getting a Dog

By Alison Hodgson

Prepare yourself for the realities of training, cost and the impact that lovable pooch might have on your house

ACCESSORIES Vintage Modern Elements: Telephones

By Becky Harris

Add Memories of Long Chats and Party Lines to Your Home Décor

VINTAGE STYLE Kitchen of the Week: Cheery Retro Style for a 1913 Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

Modern materials take on a vintage look in a Portland kitchen that honors the home's history

GREEN BUILDING The Future of Smart Design: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

See why reducing waste in a home construction project should appeal to every architect, designer and client

DIY PROJECTS Hide All Those Wires in a DIY Charging Station

Keep your gadgets handy and charged with a flexible storage board you can design yourself

Sponsored

Kuhns Contracting, Inc.

26 Reviews

Central Ohio's Trusted Home Remodeler Specializing in Kitchens & Baths

More Discussions

Kitchen backsplash Dilemma

10

Is Hubbell the only UL listed pop-up outlet for NYC Kitchen island?

4

Where to place outlets in primary bathroom?

11

Killing electric outlet behind cabinet

4

Globe light fixtures in closets

3