The simplest most efficient way to receive calls from a Federal Prison is to allow the inmate to use his commissary account.  When the inmate makes calls in this way he will be charged 0.23¢ per minute for a long distance call.  With the local phone number provided to you by CheapJailCalls.com the inmate will only have to pay 0.06¢ per minute.  Besides being the most cost effective, it allows you to eliminate the hassle of dealing with Value Added Communications and trying to navigate through the process of setting up and managing your account.  You also avoid having to pay the various taxes and processing fees that come along with using an Advance Pay account. 

 Prepaid Accounts

If after considering the above information you still wish to create a prepaid account with Value Added Communications you can do so through one of the following options: 

 Credit card, debit card, and prepaid credit card-- Call VAC and use your Visa or Master Card to create an account and add funds.  This method will require a $7.95 service charge each time you add funds to your account.  Using this option will require no less than $25 and has a maximum of no more than $100.  Payment can be made over the phone by calling 1.800.913.6097 or by going to www.myvconnect.com.

Money order/cashier's-- Make all money orders or cashier's checks out to VAC.  On the memo line write in the ten digit number that was given to you by CheapJailCalls.com.  Any service charge applied with this payment method will be refunded by VAC.  Send the Money Order/ Cashier's Check to:   VAC, Dept 2430, P.O. Box 122430, Dallas, Texas 75312-2430.  For NYDOC only, send the Money Order/Cashier's Check to VAC, Dept 2548, P.O. Box 122548, Dallas, Texas 75312-2548.

Western Union/Ace Cash Express-- Western Union and Ace Cash Express will charge a processing fee in addition to the amount of funds you are sending.  It typically takes one hour for your VAC account to be funded after the payment is made.  When using this method of payment, be sure to use the phone number given to you by CheapJailCalls.com as your account number.  Go to www.WesternUnion.com or www.AceCashExpress.com to find a location near you. 

Blocked Call Resolution

Some of the reasons your call might be blocked include:

• Value Added Communications might not have a billing contract with your local telephone service provider preventing you from receiving collect calls.
• Your local telephone service provider has a block on the line.
• Your local telephone service provider does not allow collect calls.
• Your prepaid collect call account has run out of funds and you need to add more 

 

Dropped Calls

It is possible that your call could be dropped during a call from jail or prison. Value added Communications does not issue credit for any calls that are dropped due to a 3-way attempt.  Some of the reasons a call would be considered a 3-way attempt and dropped by VAC include:

• Setting the phone down hard.
• Static on the line.
• Pushing a dial button.
• Allowing someone to pick up another phone connected to the line you are on.
• Accepting a call and then trying to forward it to another number.
• Taking an incoming call.

 

Other Information

To find out the cost of the inmate calls you are receiving call 1.800.913.6097.  The cost of the phone calls will be more expensive the further away from the jail or prison the inmate has to call.

You must open up a new account for every phone number you wish to be available for collect calls.