Calling Codes

Telecom Summaries

Here is a list of digital telephone calling feature codes for controlling your phone. These "Star Codes" are used by AT&T, and other telephone companies.





These codes are called VSC - Vertical Service Codes. I list them here because 1) I could not get the AT&T Guide instructions included with my April telephone bill to work, and 2) because AT&T does not publish the 3-digit codes online.

INCORRECT INSTRUCTIONS included in April phone bill -
"You can get more information 24 hours a day from anywhere in California by calling our toll-free hotline: 1-800-214-8433. Just press the 3-digit code listed by each service described in this brochure, or follow the prompts."

CORRECTED INSTRUCTIONS -
"You can get more information 24 hours a day from anywhere in California by calling our toll-free hotline: 1-800-214-8433. Press one for English. Then Press 9, then Just press the 3-digit code listed by each service described in this brochure, or follow the prompts."

FEATURE -
Description

Anonymous Call rejection -
Rejects calls from blocked numbers - Free with Caller ID

$7.50
$2.99

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--- Privacy Manager -
Call screening service that requires incoming callers to self-identify, or the call will not be permitted to ring through.

$7.50
$7.00

--- Priority Ringing (Distinctive Ringing) - Lets you assign a special ring for up to 10 preselected numbers you select - overrides Anonymous Call Rejection.

$7.50
$3.99

Call Forwarding -
Lets you automatically send incoming calls to another number, including pagers and mobile phones.

$7.50
$3.99

--- Busy Call Forwarding - Sends incoming calls to a preselected number, when your line is busy.

$7.50
$3.99

--- Delayed Call Forwarding (Don't answer) - Automatically routes calls you get, after a predetermined number of rings, to a preselected number.

$7.50
$3.99

--- Selective Call Forwarding - Choose up to 10 numbers to be forwarded to another number.

$7.50
$3.99

Remote Access to Call Forwarding -
Allows you to turn Call Forwarding on or off, or change the forwarded-to number from any location.

$7.50
$0.95

Call Return -
Instantly become connected to your last incoming call, even when you don't know who it was.

$7.50
$3.99

Call Screen -
Screens out up to 10 phone numbers so your phone won't ring when someone you don't want to hear from tries to call you.

$7.50
$3.99

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Call Trace -
Allows you to have us automatically trace an annoying call, and provide information to law enforcement, immediately after the call. The charge is $4.65 per traced call.

$7.50
$4.65

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Call Waiting -
Call waiting signals that you have another incoming call, when you're on the line.

$7.50
$3.99

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Caller ID -
Lets you see the name and number (if not blocked) of the person calling you on a special display unit or phone.

$7.50
$7.99

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Call Waiting ID -
Provides the name and number (if not blocked) of an incoming call, when you are already on the phone. Requires Caller ID and Call Waiting.

$7.50
$3.99

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--- Caller ID Complete Blocking - Prevents your name and number from being sent on calls you make, except 911 and toll-free numbers. You can unblock on a per-call basis at no charge, by pressing *82 before dialing.

FREE

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--- Caller ID Selective Blocking - Lets you block your name and number from being sent on calls as you make them by pressing *67 before dialing.

FREE

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Repeat Dialing - Continues to dial a busy number for up to 30 minutes, and signals you with a special ring, when the line becomes free.

$7.50
$3.99

Speed Calling -
Lets you quickly dial any of 8 frequently called numbers using a 1-digit code, from any phone on your line.

$7.50
$3.99

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Three-Way Calling -
Three-way calling lets you talk to people in two different locations at the same time.

$7.50
$3.99

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Other Convenient Non-star code References

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Toll Blocking -
Control telephone expenses by blocking the ability to make billable toll calls.

FREE
$1.90

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900 Blocking -
Blocks outgoing calls to numbers beginning with a 900 area code 976 prefix (???).

FREE

DISCLAIMER
The author is in no way affiliated with AT&T.
Although the author has tried to be as accurate as possible, errors are possible.
I could not find a telephone star code guide like the above. So, I made this one, to summarize all the common Vertical Service Codes. I hope that it helps you. Especially, since AT&T does NOT provide the codes online.

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