{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Citizens Utility Board","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org","title":"Prepaid Cell Phones | Citizens Utility Board","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"yU31oa5Kvt\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/prepaid-cell-phones\/\">Prepaid Cell Phones<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/prepaid-cell-phones\/embed\/#?secret=yU31oa5Kvt\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Prepaid Cell Phones&#8221; &#8212; Citizens Utility Board\" data-secret=\"yU31oa5Kvt\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","description":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Prepaid Cell Phones&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] Prepaid cellphones are an alternative to more traditional wireless plans or contracts. They work well for individuals who do not use their phone often or do not need or want to pay for extra features, such as video streaming or a mobile hotspot. Prepaid plans don\u2019t require a contract or a credit check and don\u2019t slap customers with exit or overage fees. If you need a cellphone for basic communications like texting and calling, or if your credit is a barrier to signing a contract, a basic phone paired with a prepaid calling plan might work for you. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What Prepaid Plan Options Do I Have?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] Consumers typically have three prepaid options. Monthly: Monthly prepaid customers pay a set monthly fee for a specific amount of data\/minutes\/texts that expire after about 30 days. If you hit your prepaid usage limit before the end of the 30-day cycle, your service shuts off. In that case, you can pay for more usage, or wait until your pay period renews. Such plans typically have automated monthly billing, but consumers can usually stop payments at any time without penalties. Pay-as-you-go: With these plans, the consumer \u201crefills\u201d the phone as necessary. Unlike prepaid monthly plans, the talk, text and data you purchase on a pay-as-you-go offer lasts much longer than 30 days\u2014sometimes up to a year\u2014and can be used anytime until they expire.\u00a0Pay-as-you-go does not have automated billing: You refill your phone at your discretion. Pay-by-the-day: Users with this type of plan pay a basic fee to keep the phone line active. Then, on days when they intend to use the phone, they would pay an additional charge\u2014typically around $1 to $5 a day\u2014to use it on an unlimited basis during that day. Remember: Not all plans are available through every carrier. Research available plans before commiting to a carrier. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;custom&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1475699797969{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What Companies Offer Prepaid Plans?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] Most major carriers (AT&amp;T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint) offer prepaid plans, but there are many smaller carriers, like Boost, Cricket and GreatCall, that have prepaid options, too. Prepaid plans are sold at wireless provider stores, convenience stores, and major retailers such as Target and Walmart. You can also order them online or over the phone. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;custom&#8221; align=&#8221;align_left&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What are the Pitfalls of a Prepaid Plan?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] There are hundreds of prepaid plans and companies to choose from. Whichever you choose, make sure to read the fine print. Some plans offer a low per-minute rate but charge daily \u201caccess fees.\u201d Others charge higher per-minute rates with no access fee. Beware that with some deals, purchased minutes expire after a certain period of time if a customer doesn\u2019t buy more. Also, check the company\u2019s coverage map to make sure that your area has service. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;custom&#8221; align=&#8221;align_left&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Can I Keep My Phone and Number?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] Most plans allow you to keep your phone and your phone number, but check before signing up for a plan. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator [&hellip;]","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/CUB_IL_LogoBadgeRGBAdminLogo.png","thumbnail_width":254,"thumbnail_height":254}