N-1-1 Numbers for Accessing Special Services

N-1-1 codes are three digit phone numbers that are abbreviated for the purpose of quickly accessing special services within the US and Canada. These numbers does not start with 0 or 1. The first digit of these numbers usually starts from 2 to 9 and the last two digits are both 1’s. N-1-1 numbers can be used as a prefix for premium rate numbers (900) and toll free service numbers (800, 855, 866, 877 and 888) but are prohibited from being used as local area code for local numbers.

The N-1-1 convention results in 8 number possibilities:

2-1-1
Use for accessing community information, social and referral services which may cover the following: child care, counseling, credit request, donation, education, elderly programs, evacuation, financial assistance, health, homeless assistance, non-crisis, parenting, relief, volunteers and youth programs.

3-1-1
Mainly used for calling non-emergency government, municipal or police service or assistance. This N11 code is implemented for local level access wherein some cities may use it for other services. Some carrier services, like the AT&T UVerse, prevent subscribers from calling this number.

4-1-1
The directory assistance number which provides information like address or phone numbers requested by the caller.

5-1-1
The telephone hotline used for accessing information, news or conditions about traffic or transportation. It is also used by travelers as a travel guide or non-emergency assistance for police services.

6-1-1
A general customer service number intended to be used for reporting landline or wireless service problems.

7-1-1
Is a TRS (Telephone Relay Service), for the deaf, which convert a TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) signal to speech or vice-versa.

8-1-1
A “call before you dig” public utility service that provide digging or excavation services.

9-1-1
Used for calling emergency services such as police, fire or medical.

Useful Toll Free Service Directories on the Web

Small and large business can utilize toll free numbers as powerful tools for branding and marketing. 800 toll free numbers have been around for a very long time and are here to stay even with the threat of flat-rate phone call rates and the escalation of cell phone usage.

A toll free service can provide a consumer with a free way to connect to a business for support, inquiries or orders. That is why more consumers tend to choose a toll free number rather than a local number when calling. But, some companies pay little attention in advertising their toll-free numbers thus resulting in hard to find numbers.

Below are few of the most useful toll free phone directories in the web that can provide assistance when searching for toll free numbers:

• Airline Toll Free Numbers and Website – not really a directory but a listing of the world’s airline carrier.

• AnyWho – as part of AT and T, it does not only provide a toll-free number search but also has white and yellow pages.

• Argali White and Yellow – one of the most powerful and complete telephone directory searching tools in the web.

• Canada TollFree – a service that provides a free toll-free numbers search on products or services in Canada.

• FCIC National Contact Center – in search of the most common federal toll-free numbers? Then FCIC can be a big help.

• Health Hotlines – provides a toll-free number searching of health-related services.

• World Directories – phone directories collection from around the world.