Chatter Bug Provides VoIP Prices on a Landline

Household Mods — 07 March 2006

Sick of paying those colossal fees to the phone company? The Chatter Bug, which connects to your preexisting landline, cuts the long distance carrier out by intercepting the call and rerouting it through their VoIP system all for a flat monthly fee of $10. Service is currently available domestically and to Canada, but expect an international option to roll out end of 1^st quarter. Only other catch is that the device costs $25.

Available here.

Chatter Bug Provides VoIP Prices on a Landline [Ubergizmo]

About Author

Christen Costa

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."

Sally

I purchased this device in December. It has been working off and on until March when it stopped completely. There was a long period where I couldn’t even get hold of anyone. I tried that programming number that someone was talking about. It still didn’t work. They tell me a different story everytime! I talked to Mr. Daniel Riscalla which is supposedly Vice President of the Software Development. He was very rude and cancelled me on the spot. I didn’t even tell him to cancel me. I think they want everybody to cancel and they continue to take new subscriber’s to get money. He told me there are only 7 people that work there in the first place. They’re all in this together. I feel it is a scam and I would advise everyone to not get it. They also charged my credit card in March and also just a few days ago. So I have been ripped off! $20.00 for the device which never really worked and $19.90 for 2 months of service. I have contacted the Arizona Attorney General in Tuscon, AZ and also the BBB. I will let you know what happens. Please be careful because at the beginning, I thought it was a dream come true. I told many people about it. Now I am seeking the truth. Post on here if anyone gets any information or hears anything.
Jeremiah

I am very upset with this company. I placed an order for their rediculous product almost 2 weeks ago now, I have received no communcation regarding my order whatsoever. I have emial them twice now, the first time I did not even get an auto response, the second time I did. I called the company once and somebody answered and I inquired about my order. He never asked my name, my order number or anything. He only told me that they were waiting for the green light from the post office saying their money order has gone through. ??!! I hung up completely mystified. How did he know who I was? How did he know what order I was inquiring about?? I have since sent the second email and I have tried calling and get a recording saying the number is no longer in service or has been disconnected. I am very upset about this and if I get no response from them, I am going to fight the $32.45 I was charged for this through my credit card company. There is absolutely no way in this day in age that it should take almost 2 weeks to ship an order out. I only wished I had found all these complaints before I too was scammed into buying one of these units.
MELODY

UPDATE: WELL IT HAS BEEN A MONTH AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM CHATTERBUG NOR HAVE I SEEN A CREDIT ON MY CREDIT CARD. NOW I AM $9.30 IN POSTAGE OUT. WHICH THEY SAID THEY WILL REIMBURSE. I KNOW THEY GOT IT BECAUSE I SENT IT BACK CERTIFIED. I JUST E-MAILED THE ARIZONIA ATTORNEY GENERAL AGAIN TO SEE WHAT THEY WANT ME TO DO NEXT. I AM WAITING ON A REPLY FROM THEM. I WILL KEEP POSTING MY PROGRESS. THIS STARTED IN MARCH WITH TRYING TO RESOVE THIS SITUATION.
http://dollarstitch.com Bart Perry

Well, I TRIED to put in a new number to reactivaste the Chatterbug, however i guess it does not work for me? I filed with the BBB, and the Az. Attornie generals office, lets see what happens now? I hope SOMEONE responcible for this scam gets what he/she deserves. Not a LOT of money from one person, but HOARDS of it from thousands.
ben

*59*1**18778000047* My chatterbug quit working so i put the code in that i listed above and now it works fine, don’t count on customer service to help you. Lucky i found this site and got the info.
Stephen S.

It seems Chatterbug had to change service providers, and most chatterbugs now require an update to the new phone number 877-800-0047 to get them working again. Also you may have to call in to Chatterbug to have them reactivate your chatterbug, they gave me a free month of service so I can’t really complain (I thought the service was down for good, I am happy to see it is back up again, but really they should have contacted me, if I never called them I would have never know the service works again).

Here is how you get your Chatterbug working again, mine has not worked in months, I wrote emails but they never responed. But I called in to their 1800 number today and got through to somone right away. Just ask them to re-activate your Chatterbug and you will need to enter the below codes into your chatterbug (some earlier posts give the code, but do not mention the complete directions which involve unlocking you chatterbug via the switch on the back).

Unlock Chatterbug (switch on back)

then dial the following on your phone:

*59*1**18778000047*

wait for beep (if it does not beep, start over, it did not work so try again)

hang up

Lock Chatterbug
Stephen S.

Also NOTE: It did not like my cordless phone when I entered the codes I had to plug in a regluar corded phone to get it to work.

Also you have to enter the codes fairly quick, be sure to enter them all before the OFF THE HOOK message or beepbeep tones from you phone company come on. It took 4-5 times before I got it to work. You will hear a keytone about 1-2 seconds after you entered the codes if it worked.
jdray

Hello:
Today I got a message that says “access denied”. So I entered the new “codes” from this site, but it didn’t work. I called the 1-866-690-3919 number and got the voice mail. Is there anything else I can do to make this thing work? Also, http://www.chatterbug.com and http://www.lagunawave.com websites are not functinioning as of this morning.
jdray

Well, what d’ ya’ know, it’s working again. The web sites are back up and all is well. I came very close to calling my cc company to refuse charges. I agree that Chatterbug would do well to improve their customer care. Oh well…
MELODY

SUCCESS!!!!! AFTER 4 MONTHS MY PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. BUT I WILL HURRY TO THE BANK TO CASH THE CHECK.
WITH THE HELP OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ARIZONIA ALL ISSUES ARE TAKEN CARE OF
I GOT A REFUND FOR THE DEVICE PLUS THE POSTAGE TO SEND IT.
GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE WHO STAYS WITH THEM.
MY NOT GIVING IN TO IT, PAYED OFF.
Stephen S.

I was going to file a complaint also, but now I am just glad it works and they are not out of business. There is no other service I can get for just $10 a month, hopefully it stays working this time.
Stephen S.

To jdray:

Sounds like you have to call them to have them re-activate your Chatterbug, I tried but could not re-enable it through the website, it said something like my “Chatterbug cannot be enabled”.

Just call in during daytime hours and press 2, that is what I did.
george

Puschased chatterbug in May worked well after rough start for 2 months – have been without calling privilidges for past 6 days -tech support has had my issue for three days said they will call back, purchased a new chatterbug from walmart in SC for 20 bucks saturday, updated my account with new chatterbug. now two chatterbug charges and no phone service. Left AT&T for Chatterbug – boy you think that was a good decision. When it works OK service when it does not you know….. that stinks. Still waiting on that tech support call back!
mary lewis

Their customer service sucks big. I could not get through to a long distance call for hours. I called chatterbug and only got voice mail. I made several complaints. They were not there to answer my calls but were able to disable my service. Plus my device did not work and had to get another one.
Antwan

Me & my wife have the chatterbug It works Find anyone that has it has to reprogram it.

Q: How do I reprogram my ChatterBug™ to use the new service?
A: If your ChatterBug™ serial number starts with a 5:
Step 1 – Keeping the ChatterBug™ connected, move the locking switch from “lock” to “unlock” on the back of the unit.
Step 2 – On your phone pad, speed dial the following number *59*1**18778000047*. You can speed dial this numbers in one of two ways:
Method 1: Dial the number first while keeping your phone on hook (do not pick up the handset) then pick up the phone like you were going to make a call.
OR
Method 2: Pick up the hand set, dial the number, hang up. Pick up the hand set again and hit redial on your phone.
Step 3 – You will hear numbers being dialed, at the end of these numbers, you will hear a dial tone, then a “beep”. Now hang up the phone.
Step 4 – Go to the back of the ChatterBug™ device, move the locking switch from “unlock” to “lock”.

For all other serial numbers (starting with a 2, 3 or 4):
Step 1 – Keep the ChatterBug™ connected.
Step 2 – On your phone pad, speed dial the following number *59*1**18778000047*. You can speed dial this numbers in one of two ways:
Method 1: Dial the number first while keeping your phone on hook (do not pick up the handset) then pick up the phone like you were going to make a call.
OR
Method 2: Pick up the hand set, dial the number, hang up. Pick up the hand set again and hit redial on your phone.
Step 3 – You will hear numbers being dialed, at the end of these numbers, you will hear a dial tone, then a “beep”. Now hang up the phone.

You are now ready to begin calling on our new upgraded platform. If you are not able to connect to a call that you place, try these steps again. It is necessary to complete this process to continue service.
Vicki J

I don’t see any postings since September- how are things now?
Karen L

Bought one for my parents for Christmas. Activated it in January, and having nothing but problems so far. My mom was given an 800 number to use directly, same problem on that as going thru the chatterbug. Seems like their system has some major problems currently. My mom tried calling them today again, she got a recording indicating that things were fixed now. When she called me, we could tell things were not fixed…still having problems. She’s going to call them again tommorrow. If it doesn’t get fixed soon, it will be returned.
GRRRRRR

Fellow Americans: I quit using chatterbug service around March of 2007 because of major issues with phone service and lack of customer support. I decided today, 1/17/2008, that I would try them again, because I had read that service was back up. I added my credit card to my chatterbug account and then tried to register my device. I keep getting error messages and now can’t remove my credit card from the account. I can not get through to customer service, I keep being asked to leave a message. I didn’t leave a message, because last year I left many and never received a response. I did send an email, but don’t expect them to respond. This company has issues and should be avoided. It never lets its customers know what is going on which is the most aggrivating thing to me.
Ruth Johnson

Chatterbug will not return any of my messsages i have left with them. Chatterbug has been out of service for a week, Every time I try to make a long distance call the operator comes on and says ” access denied “. Credit Card has been charged for service. There is no web site available for chatterbug anymore. Have tried to reprogram chatterbug but same old results – NOTHING. Have had problems with people hearing me before, but that would clear up. It is a good deal if they could keep it working. I plan to wait one more day and then calling my credit card company to have it removed from my monthly charges. It has been really nice while it was working. It saved me alot of money on phone bill.
CHARLES

DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED? THE WEBSITE IS DOWN TO.
Shelly

I bought my chatterbug in September 2007 and have had problems with it off and on, but most recently it has not been working and I keep trying to call customer service and it keeps telling me to leave a message and that all their representatives are busy assisting other customers (yeah right!). I want to cancel my service but can’t get a hold of anyone to do that. I think I’ll call my credit card company to not allow charges, this is the only thing I can think of to cancel my service. If you are considering buying this product DON’T!!!!
Rob

I’ve used (or tried to use) this service for almost 1 1/2 years. It is not a reliable VOIP option. If you’re willing to stick with the flakey service, as I have, it might be a break even venture. But it’s frustrating dealing with NO ONE that ever gets back to you. There is a 50% of the time usage factor – which also takes into account the poor quality of the signal. So, considering this is a $10/mo service, you’re getting your monies worth – over a $20/mo service.
ME

FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT THIS “COMPANY” OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESFFUL IN GETTING THEM TO HONOR YOUR REQUEST TO STOP DEBITING YOUR ACCOUNT MONTHLY HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1) FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMSSION 877-382-4357 OR http://WWW.FTC.GOV;
2) FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FCC 888-225-5322 OR http://WWW.FCC.GOV, USE FORM 2000B (THE FCC HAS THE CO. LISTED UNDER CHATTERBUG);
3) CONTACT THE ARIZONA BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU 520-888-5353 OR WW.ARIZONA.BBB.ORG (?) AND FILE A COMPLAINT;
4) CONSIDER CALLING YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPT., FILE A THEFT/FRAUD REPORT IF YOUR CREDIT CARD IS STILL BEING DEBITED FOR SERVICES YOU CANCELLED OR CANNOT USE. YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPT. MAY CONTACT THE ARIZONA POLICE AND START A CASE (SEE INFO. BELOW);
5) CLOSE OR TRANSFER YOUR CREDIT ACCOUNT SO THE COMPANY CAN NO LONGER DEBIT YOUR ACCOUNT MONTHLY.
PERTINENT INFO. YOU WILL NEED TO FILE YOUR COMPLAINTS :
CHATTERBUG 866-690-3919
2524 W. RUTHRAUFF RD., SUITE 4
TUCSON, AZ 85705
FCC REGISTRATION #AlCDl00B24-3.2
DISTRIBUTED BY LAGUNAWAVE, INC.
THE MORE PEOPLE WHO FILE COMPLAINTS, THE BETTER THE RESULTS WILL BE! DON’T JUST COMPLAIN – DO SOMETHING!!!
QueenJane

Thanks for the information. I will definitely file a complaint against Chatterbug. This type of behavior and treatment of consumers is unacceptable! I have had nothing but problems since signing up for Chatterbug a year ago, and should have taken care of this before the service went complely kaput.
Bruce Seybert

Ok another month No service and I finally found a fax that worked and sent them a message to cancell and not withdraw from my account after 2 months paid and no service and no call backs! People call the Consumer Protection Departments of there State attorney Generals office and File Claims! they owe me about $100 and no service! BEWARE CHATTERBUG IS A RIP OFF AND THEY CONTINUE TO DEFRAUD YOU MONTHLY!!!
chocolateice1

I also purchased the service two months ago. At this time, I can’t call any long distant numbers because it gives me a message that I can’t connect. I have sent several emals and even called but no response from Chatterbug. Please help!
ME

SEE #73 ABOVE DATED 2/8/08!!! Follow the advice, file complaints with the FTC and FCC (instructions #73 above). IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST THIS COMPANY! Filing the complaints is simple and does not take much time.
http://Thanksforthehelp!! Jeffrey Michael Lloyd

I’m sooo glad I’m not the only one not getting anywhere with this company (I was starting to take it personally!)LOL!! I, like everyone else tried and tried to contact the company (ME) number 73 left the best advice on how to handle and who to contact, and I will be following his advice!! Thanks so much for your input..Its amazing how we can’t get any response from the company but like Clock Work they’ll deduct the amount out of our accounts!! If theres a lawsuite against this company count me in!! (not that we would get any compensation) but it might get other scams to think twice before scamming us again! thanks for your time..and letting me sound off!!
Amethyst

Biggest POS EVER!!! My husband bought me Chatterbug for my birthday and right off the bat I had problems. For the past four days, I registered for service last week, I have been unable to reach anyone in the costumer service department. All I get is a message that they are experiencing technical difficulties, which seems to be the norm for them giving past reviews. I even e-mailed costumer support twice and yet to receive any sort of response. SAVE YOUR MONEY!! 9.95 a month for long distance may seem fantastic but you get what you pay for…. no costumer service and no service period!
ME

Hi. It’s ME again, with more helpful info (I hope). After filing a complaint with the Arizona Attoney General’s office (see #73 above), I received a letter from them today. They are looking into the matter, although it may take some time. They also advised me they keep a file on the companies that have compalints against them. If those of you who feel you have been scammed by this company would also file a complaint, it would certainly help!!!!!!!! It doesn’t tkae much longer to file the complaint on line than it takes to leave a comment on this web site. IF there is ever a lawsuilt, the people who filed a complaint are the one’s who get the settlement. I also contacted my local news “problem solvers” and hope they will get involved. I can’t believe this company is still registering this device for new customers. Isn’t anyone else angry enough to pursue filing the necessary complaints against this “company”??????
Diane

Just bought two of them today for 5 dollars. thanks for the heads up. Back they go to Walmart
Carey

I contacted American Express that chatterbug was billing my account on & they investigated & I got a credit for 5 months of use! Try it. chatterbug uses PayPal for their billing & I’d also contacted them & they said to wait until Am Ex was done first.
Steve

very interesting what i am reading about a company that i was about be a division or area owner with. they are now going into the prepaid phone card market. they wanted a lot of money up front that we were willing to do for the possibilities we saw until we did our research and saw all the negativity on the company. even met with the owner of the entire company not branch owners. screw this. will not put my name on anything that does not come from the man up stairs. too bad
Mary

I had my device for a few years. Quite a few times it wouldnt work. The last 4 months it wont work at all, and every time I call CS they never return my calls (at least 5 times) I think this is a total rip-off.
Scott

The Catterbug device sounds like a brilliant invention. I really hope that the people that created it have retained some ownership in it’s design and concept. Ok, Chatterbug the company sounds like a very poorly run legitimate company or a scam but the device itself must have potential. As I understand, the device will detect when you dial 1, it will then capture the rest of the numbers that you dial, will auto-dial the long distance service then auto-dial the number that you had just dialled then #. It’s just a dialler. You’re not stuck with their long distance service if you can program it to dial another one.
Below is a cut & paste from another site. It shows how to program another number into the device after they switched carriers. Perhaps someone can do some hacking and come up with ways to add pauses and the # and * characters to the program. I’m going to try it with a voip card to see what I can up with.

C&P
September 28th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Me & my wife have the chatterbug It works Find anyone that has it has to reprogram it.

Q: How do I reprogram my ChatterBug™ to use the new service?
A: If your ChatterBug™ serial number starts with a 5:
Step 1 – Keeping the ChatterBug™ connected, move the locking switch from “lock” to “unlock” on the back of the unit.
Step 2 – On your phone pad, speed dial the following number *59*1**18778000047*. You can speed dial this numbers in one of two ways:
Method 1: Dial the number first while keeping your phone on hook (do not pick up the handset) then pick up the phone like you were going to make a call.
OR
Method 2: Pick up the hand set, dial the number, hang up. Pick up the hand set again and hit redial on your phone.
Step 3 – You will hear numbers being dialed, at the end of these numbers, you will hear a dial tone, then a “beep”. Now hang up the phone.
Step 4 – Go to the back of the ChatterBug™ device, move the locking switch from “unlock” to “lock”.

For all other serial numbers (starting with a 2, 3 or 4):
Step 1 – Keep the ChatterBug™ connected.
Step 2 – On your phone pad, speed dial the following number *59*1**18778000047*. You can speed dial this numbers in one of two ways:
Method 1: Dial the number first while keeping your phone on hook (do not pick up the handset) then pick up the phone like you were going to make a call.
OR
Method 2: Pick up the hand set, dial the number, hang up. Pick up the hand set again and hit redial on your phone.
Step 3 – You will hear numbers being dialed, at the end of these numbers, you will hear a dial tone, then a “beep”. Now hang up the phone.

You are now ready to begin calling on our new upgraded platform. If you are not able to connect to a call that you place, try these steps again. It is necessary to complete this process to continue service.
Scott

Ok, I finally got around to starting with my experiment. Using the programming instructions above, I was able to substitute another toll free number. The device would call that number, wait about 10 seconds then dial the number that I had dialled with a 1 in front and a # about 3 seconds afterward. If you can find a long distance service that doesn’t have a menu and can work with the 1 and # the way they are, you’re in luck. If I have time, I’ll see if the 1 and # can be changed easily.
Antwan

Did anyone see this on the site: Chatterbug Site is Currently Undergoing Upgrades http://www.chatterbug.com/

Yea Right…
Damian

Re: Posting I’d like to have contact me regarding ChatterBug experience

#80 – ME | March 4th, 2008 at 12:40 am

#83 – Steve | April 23rd, 2008 at 10:45 pm

# 85 – Scott | April 29th, 2008 at 8:44 am

Please send me your contact information to invexecfl@gmail.com. I am on your side.

Thanks
Danny

Steve, You said “very interesting what i am reading about a company that i was about be a division or area owner with. they are now going into the prepaid phone card market. they wanted a lot of money up front that we were willing to do for the possibilities we saw until we did our research and saw all the negativity on the company. even met with the owner of the entire company not branch owners. screw this. will not put my name on anything that does not come from the man up stairs. too bad”. Who did you meet? how much money do they ask you to invest in? how do you find them.? they come to you? we would love to hear more detail of how this chatterbug keep changing.
Carol

any updates on Chatterbug? Would still like to use the devise I paid for.
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