Can You Keep Your Number Unlisted with VoIP?
February 8th, 2012 - Posted by mary
Q: When you switch to VoIP, can you keep your number non-published and unlisted ?
A: In general, yes. By default, VoIP providers do not list numbers when they issue them, so if you get a new number from a VoIP company, it will be unlisted unless you specifically add it to directories. With the exception of numbers currently carrying a DSL account, you can move an existing phone number from traditional service to any VoIP service without problems. However, keeping your VoIP number unlisted can be a little bit more complicated when you transfer it from a traditional phone service.
Listing is handled by your original phone company, so if your number is currently unlisted, be sure to tell the company you would like the number to remain unlisted when you port it to your new VoIP service. Most traditional phone providers have an option to remain unlisted when you port out your number, but it is handled on their end, not through the new VoIP provider. If you have questions about your specific number, try contacting your current phone provider and your new VoIP provider to be sure your number will stay private. If your primary concern is marketing phone calls, you might also consider adding your phone number to the national Do Not Call Registry to prevent telemarketers from calling you at home.
Got more questions about VoIP service? Head over to our VoIP FAQ section for a quick overview, or read comprehensive reviews and choose the right provider for your phone service.
How Can I Locate Old Birth and Death Records?
February 8th, 2012 - Posted by mary
Q: Which is the best people search service for Birth/Death records for going back over 75 years?
Image Source: tonrulkens on Flickr
A: While people search and background check services like our top-rated option, Intelius, can be great for locating criminal records, marriages, and legal histories, the best resources for finding birth and death records that old are generally geared towards genealogy research. In most states, birth and death records must be at least a certain number of years (often 75) old before they become public information. Once this information is public, it becomes easily accessible for genealogy enthusiasts and historians alike.
Our top three choices, Ancestry.com, Archives.com, and Footnote all do a pretty good job of locating birth, marriage, and death records, as well as census data, immigration information, and a wide range of other resources. We recommend Ancestry.com for its large resource base and ease of use, particularly for people planning to build a family tree. Footnote is more geared towards historians, if you're doing research on a family other than your own.
To compare all the genealogy services we've reviewed, head over to our comparison chart.
Can I Use Multiple Phones with VoIP?
February 7th, 2012 - Posted by mary
Q: I have four phones on the same phone line. Will I be able to keep all four phones with VoIP?
Source: Karolina Kabat on Flickr
A: This depends on how your phones are currently set up. If, like many people, you use a standard cordless phone system where one base phone plugs into a standard phone jack in the wall and the others transmit wirelessly from that base unit, your phones should work exactly the same with a VoIP system once you plug the base unit into your VoIP adapter.
If all four phones currently plug into their own wall jacks, you have a couple of options for multiple phones. If your phones are plugged in in separate rooms, you might want to use wireless phone jacks, also known as portable phone jacks, to connect your phones through the electrical wiring in your house. A main base plugs in to the VoIP adapter, and then individual extender ports for each phone plug into electrical outlets around the house. This can cause some interference or audio issues, but is simpler than some of the other options.
Splitters are another possibility if you don't mind dealing with running wires from room to room. A splitter plugs into the VoIP phone jack and provides multiple phone ports, which you can then use to plug in a number of phones.
Finally, you can use your existing telephone wiring to route your VoIP service throughout your home. This option is best if you live in a single-family house, as redoing the wiring might cause problems for other residents in an apartment or condo building. To do this, you must separate your house's wiring from the phone company's outside system and connect it to the VoIP adapter. This change is reversible. Although you can do the wiring yourself, an electrician can help with the process. Check with your VoIP provider to see if they can recommend an electrician or other professional. VoIP providers may also provide resources to help you do the rewiring yourself. Some VoIP providers advise against rewiring your house because traditional telephone wires carry a charge that can sometimes damage VoIP equipment. If you're thinking about Vonage service, click here to read our blog post on using your existing home wiring with Vonage for more detailed information about rewiring.
If you just need one extra plug, some VoIP providers' adapters have more than one phone port, including one of our top-rated options, VOIPo, which offers an adapter with two phone ports.
Long story short, multiple phones are very doable with VoIP, but you might want to switch to a cordless system, since overall, the simplest solution is definitely to use one main base and a number of cordless handsets rather than to install a splitter, redo home wiring, or use wireless extensions.
Got other questions about VoIP? Compare services head to head with our comprehensive charts for home or business VoIP services. You can also read our FAQs, delve into detailed individual reviews, or take a look at other blog posts answering common VoIP questions.
Can I Use the Same VoIP Line for Voice and Fax Calls?
February 6th, 2012 - Posted by mary
Q: My landline and fax use the same phone line. How will this work with VoIP?
Source: Yortw on flickr
A: If you currently use your phone line for occasional faxes, you can use a VoIP line in exactly the same way. With Vonage, you can just connect your VoIP phone line to your fax machine as you would with a standard landline. Note that just like a regular phone line, if you are using the line to send or receive a fax, you can't make voice calls at the same time. Many services recommend that you get a second, dedicated fax line if you plan to leave your fax machine connected.
Some VoIP companies also offer internet-based fax features. One of our most popular options, Phone.com offers web-based faxing straight from your internet browser. Check out our full review of Phone.com to find out how to get 10% off six months of the company's Home/Residential Phone Service Plus.
If you're interested in adding separate Internet Fax services to your landline or VoIP service, you can also check out our comparisons and detailed reviews of Internet Fax companies, or read this previous post on faxing with a VoIP account.
How does credit monitoring affect your credit score?
February 3rd, 2012 - Posted by Tasha
Q: I've been told that your credit score can suffer if your credit report is checked too often in a 12 month time period. How does credit monitoring affect your credit score?
A: Good news—first off, you can check your own credit score and/or report as many times as you want without it affecting your credit score. Checking your own credit score/report is considered a "soft" inquiry and will NOT affect your credit score in any way. It also won't show up on credit reports given to third parties.
Additionally, subscribing to a legitimate credit monitoring service won't hurt your credit score. That's because when you subscribe to a credit monitoring service you authorize them to act on your behalf to monitor your credit reports. This means they can also check your credit scores and reports without it affecting your score. If you're in the market for a credit monitoring service, take a look at our top-rated Identity Guard TOTAL PROTECTION® and PrivacyGuard.
With Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, do I have to book my travel through the Capital One Rewards Center, or can I book it myself?
February 2nd, 2012 - Posted by Tasha
Q: With Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card, do I have to book my travel through the Capital One Rewards Center or can I go anywhere (i.e., Travelocity) to book my travel and still use my reward points for the purchase?
A: The Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card makes it pretty easy to redeem your miles. You can either directly use the miles you've already accrued by contacting the Rewards Center (toll-free) to book your travel. OR you can shop around and book the travel yourself using your Venture Rewards Card – online, in person or over the phone.
If you choose to book your own travel you can redeem the miles you earn online to get reimbursed for the cost of the travel purchase. This means if you book your own travel, you'll earn miles that you can then redeem for a statement credit, cash back, gift cards or merchandise. (Note: you have 90 days from the date your travel purchase posts to your statement to redeem your miles). It may seem a little complicated, but it helps to think of your miles as something you can either spend directly on travel (by using the Rewards Center) or convert into cash back (by booking the travel yourself, and then using the miles you earned to reimburse yourself with a statement credit).
We really like the Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card because users earn a straightforward 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases….and they can redeem those miles online without a hassle. But if you'd like to shop around, check out all our Travel Credit Card Reviews.
How Many Files can I Backup with MyPCBackup?
January 30th, 2012 - Posted by polina
Q: When backing up my computer with MyPCBackup, how large and how many files can be uploaded at once? I have a picture directory with 10,000 files or so. Can I upload this directory all at once?
A: Thanks for your question! The biggest perk of MyPCBackup is that you get unlimited storage space for one computer. Thus, no matter how many files you have, photos in your case, you can back them all up with your one basic subscription. You can definitely backup your directory all at once, but this might take a while. The upload time isn't a big deal though since you can continue using your computer while your files are safely being stored.
Another service that lets you backup an unlimited amount of files for one computer is the top rated Carbonite. To compare all of our online backup services, click here!
Does Identity Guard have a toll-free phone number to call for more information?
January 24th, 2012 - Posted by Tasha
Q: Does Identity Guard have a toll-free phone number to call for more information?
A: Yes, Identity Guard does have a toll-free phone number you can call for more information about their product: 1-855-727-5801. Identity Guard customer service representatives are available via that phone number from 8am to 8pm EST Monday through Friday. This is a dedicated line for NextAdvisor readers, so you'll still be able to get the free 30-day trial AND 25% off the subscription price (bringing price down to $14.99/mo) of top-rated Identity Guard TOTAL PROTECTION® when you call in.
If I sign up for Identity Guard today, will I get immediate knowledge of opened credit to date?
January 20th, 2012 - Posted by Tasha
Q: If I sign up for Identity Guard today, will I get immediate knowledge of opened credit to date?
A: Yes, if you sign up for Identity Guard TOTAL PROTECTION® today, you will find out about the lines of credit opened in your name to date. That's because when you sign up for Identity Guard, you'll receive access to your 3-bureau credit report—a summary of your credit history as provided by each of the 3 credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Within this summary are all of the credit accounts included in your current credit history as well as the payment history for each account over the last 24 months. You'll also get your credit scores from all 3 credit bureaus for free.
It's important to note that over time, some information does fall off your credit reports. Positive account information remains in your credit report for at least 10 years. Delinquent payment information remains on your credit report for 7 years from the date of delinquency.
We really like Identity Guard as both a credit monitoring and identity theft protection service, and right now they are offering a free 30-day trial and 25% off the subscription price to NextAdvisor readers.
If I Sign Up for a Fashion Club, do I have to Buy Something Every Month?
January 19th, 2012 - Posted by polina
Q: I really want to sign up for a fashion club, but what if one month I don't like any of the styles or I just don't want to buy anything? Will I still be charged?
Screenshot of ShoeDazzle Shoes
A: To put it simply, No! You never have to buy anything if you don't feel like it. One of our favorite parts about online fashion clubs is the amount of flexibility they provide for their members. A perfect example of this is the Skip the Month button featured on each of the fashion club sites. Though the specifics vary from club to club, in general, if you decide that you don't want anything one month, you can sign into your account within the first five days of that month and select the Skip the Month option. This way, you will not be charged.
If you forget to select this option in the first five days of the month, you will be charged and will receive one credit. Nothing will be sent to you without your consent! Instead, you can redeem this credit anytime you want for anything on the site. Want to learn more about fashion clubs? Compare them all here!
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