There are benefits to technology, no doubt. Instant coffee, digital music, keyless entry, cell phones...the list goes on. However, automation has had one particularly annoying side effect: the interactive voice response system. IVR's are used by everyone from airlines to credit card companies to your local Irish pub as a cost saving method of providing you information by keeping you as far away from a live operator as possible. Now, our friend, Paul English, has compiled a list of simple and efficient cheats to penetrate some of the most oft used and most annoying IVR's out there.

Aside from figuring out ways to cheat the system, Paul runs a travel company called www.KAYAK.com. He can be reached at paul@f7.net.

Note from the editors: This list is third party information and we cannot attest to the reliability of all the information contained herein.

Common Cheats to Bypass IVR

1. First find the correct toll-free phone number by calling 1-800-555-1212 or by searching Google for company name plus "phone numbers".

2. Press 0 (or 0# or #0 or 0* or *0) repeatedly, sometimes quickly. Many IVRs will connect to a human after a few "invalid entries", although some IVRs will hangup. :-(

3. Say "get human" (or "agent" or "representative") or shout your favorite four letter word. If these are not programmed, the IVR might again connect you to a human after a few of these "invalid entries".

4. Just hold, pretending you have only a rotary phone.

5. Connect to sales; they always seem to answer quickly, then have them transfer you to the department you need.

6. Selecting the option for Spanish will sometimes get you a bilingual human quickly.

7. Search Google more extensively for contact tips; search for the company name and "customer support" or "phone numbers". Or try "investor relations"

or the "president's office".

And Now The List:

aarp pharmacy services 800-289-8849 when the puter voice is done hit 000 ignoring all untill you get a haman voice hit 0000
Accredited Home Lenders 877-683-4466 Press 0
Adobe Systems 800-833-6687 1 for Adobe, 2 for MacroMedia, 3 for both.
Advance Auto Parts 800-314-4243 Press 0 when the automated message begins.
Advanta (business cards) 800-705-7255 1, 0
Aetna 800-537-9384 2, then say "operator" (check this)
Aetna 800-680-3566 * then 0 anytime
AIG 877-638-4244 Direct to human.
Alltel Cellular 800-255-8351 Press # four times.
Amazon.com 800-201-7575 Wait though the first menu for an agent.
Amazon Visa 888-247-4080 Press 0 twice. Ignore invalid account message.
America First 800-999-3961 0 or say "member services"
American Airlines 800-433-7300 00, then say "agent"
American Education Services 800-233-0557 Select language, then press 2, then 00# ar each prompt
American Express 800-528-4800 0 repeatedly
American Funds 800-421-0180 Press 0.
Ameritrade 800-669-3900 3, 3, 0. (Former Datek Clients: 800-823-2835)
Amtrak 800-872-7245 0 or say "agent"
Amtrak 877-444-4773 Direct to human.
AOL 800-827-6364 Press 0 repeatedly, ignoring all messages.
Apple Stores local store press 5 as soon as you hear the automated menu
Apple Tech Support 800-275-2273 0,,0,,0 Wait for IVR response before pressing 0 each time.
Apple 800-275-2273 6AM - 6PM Pac Time. 000; if virtual rep answers, say "operator"
AT&T Universal Card 800-423-4343 Do not say anything or push any buttons! It takes awhile, but eventually a human comes on-line!
AT&T Wireless 800-888-7600 During prompts, press * then # twice.
AT&T 800-222-0300 Press # four times, then press 1 if for current phone, 2 to enter other number, else 3.
Banana Republic 888-277-8953 0
Bank of America 800 900 9000 At ANY Bank of America number, press *0 to get human.
Bank One 877-226-5663 00
Barnes & Noble local store Press 1 or 0 during greeting.
Barnes & Noble.com 800-843-2665 Direct to human.
Bayview Loan Services 800-457-5105 Press 0.
BellSouth 877-678-2355 Press *0.
Best Buy Card 800-365-0292 00* then press 8
Best Buy 888-237-8289 Listen to intro, then press 1,2,0,0
Blair 800-458-2000 Direct to human.
Blue Cross FEP 800-451-7602 Wait for prompt, then press 0, 3 to reach a CS rep.
Bose 800-444-2673 Direct to human.
Buy.com 949-389-2000 Dail 0 and direct to rep
Cabela's 800-237-4444 Direct to human.
Capital One 800-903-3637 For all Capital One #s, press 0 at each prompt or just don't do anything until finally offered option of representative
Caremark 800-262-7890 0
Cellular One 888-910-9191 Press 4.
Charles Schwab 800-435-9050 3, 0
Charter communications 866-499-8080 Select language, 0,0,0,0,0,0 (and then hold :(
Charter Communications 888-438-2478 Press 0 eight times.
Chase Auto Loans 800-346-9670 Press 1, 2, *0
Chase Credit Cards 800-625-5161 Direct to human. (This line is for online issues only.)
Chase 800-242-7324 At most Chase numbers, press 0 at each prompt; eventually get rep.
Chrysler Financial 800-700-0738 Select language, then press 00
CIGNA 800-516-2898 REGARDING A BILL
Cigna 800-849-9000 ##
Cingular 800-211-2445 Direct to human.
Circuit City Visa 888-363-8001 Press 0 a lot.
Citibank 800-756-7047 Otherwise, press 0 at each prompt; eventually get rep.
Citi Cards 866-696-5673 Press 0 to get a human is offered at many Citibank numbers.
Citizens Bank 800-922-9999 Press 0,0,0
Columbia Mutual Funds 800-345-6611 Say "representative."
Comcast 800-266-2278 Press 000 or be silent and wait.
comcast 800-945-2288 Ignore message and after 25 seconds, a human will answer.
Commerce Bank 800-937-2000 Press 0.
Compaq 800-652-6672 When asked what product say "I don't know", then "person", ignore message and human will answer (may gave to hold)
CompUSA local 0
Countrywide Loans 800-669-5864 Press 0 repeatedly
Cox Communications 877-247-2474 Press 4.
CVS local store Press 6 to connect to store manager.
Decision One Mortgage 888-264-3663 Don't press any keys when prompted; they transfer you
Dell 800-999-3355 Press "0" repeatedly.
Dell 888-560-8324 00, 0, 0, 0
Delta Dental 888-335-8227 00000, wait through message, select language, 4, 0.
Delta 800-221-1212 Say "agent" 3-4 times - every time it asks for a response from you.
Dept of Education Loans 800-848-0979 Say and do nothing at the prompt and you will be transfered to someone.
DHL 800-225-5345 Press 1, press 5, press 0, enter your phone number.
Diner's Club 800-729-5309 Press 2.
DirectMerchants Bank 800-379-7999 Press 0 at each prompt; eventually get rep.
Direct TV 800-347-3288 0 repeatedly
Directv 800-494-4388 Silence, and you will be routed to a human/
Discover 800-347-2683 ****
Dodge and Cox 800-621-3979 Press 0.
drugstore.com 800-378-4786 2, 5
Earthlink 888-327-8454 Press 1 to find a dial-in number; 2 for billing; 3 for sales; 4 for support
eBay 800-322-9266 0,0
Eckerd 800-325-3737 0 for pharmacy, 8* for manager
EDD 800-300-5616 When you hear "welcome", press 1, then press 4 and 0 at the next two prompts.
Edward Jones 314-515-2000 Worldwide corporate HQ in St. Louis, MO still answers 314-515-2000 with switchboard operators, who announce their name as well
Emigrant direct 800-836-1997 Human answers.
Entertainment Weekly Mag 866-228-1183 Say "Agent" then "yes" when asked "Do you want to speak to a C.S. rep."
Epson 800-922-8911 yes
e*Trade 800-786-2575 #### (4 pound signs)
Express Scripts - TriCare 866-363-8667 0, listen announcement, 0,0.
Exxon Mobil Card 800-344-4355 000 ignoring message
E-Z Pass 888-288-6865 0,0,0,0 (ignoring "invalid response" messages)
Federal Trade Commission 877-382-4357 At each prompt, press 4, 5, 0.
FedEx 888-463-3339 At message say "Rep"; or press 0
FEMA 800-621-FEMA Select language (1 for English), Don't choose any option, just hold for human; or press 00
Fidelity NetBenefits 800-581-5800 1,#################
Fidelity 800-544-6666 ignore prompt for social security number, just enter ###
Fifth Third Bank 800-972-3030 0,0
First National Bank of Omaha 888-530-3626 Press 0 at each prompt.
Ford Interest Advantage 800-462-2614 Choose option 4, then option 0 to speak to rep.
Free 411 800-373-3411 a free alternative to paying $1 or more for 411 calls
Fujitsu PC Support 800-385-4878 0, 0
Gap Credit Card 800-887-1198 000
Gateway 800-846-2301 Press nothing and wait through message.
GE Appliance 800-626-2005 000
GE Consumer Products 800-720-2094 Select type the of product from menu and you'll get a human.
Geek Squad 800-433-5778 0,0,0,0,0,0
GE Finance CareCredit 866-893-7864 1, 6, 5, 0, 0
GEICO 800-841-3000 Wait for prompt then 6, 1, 5; Or dail 800-555-2752
GM MasterCard 800-947-1000 Press "0" at each prompt.
Godaddy 480-505-8877 4, #, select 1 for new customer 2 existing customer, #again
Green Dot Online 866-443-6227 Wait through prompts 3 times, then long wait for rep.
Harris Direct 800-825-5723 Press 0.
Hewlett-Packard 800-474-6836 Say "agent".
Home Depot 800-793-3768 # 2-3 times
Home Depot local store Direct to human.
Home Shopping Net 800-284-3100 0
Honda Financial Services 800-445-1358 Press 0 at each prompt regardless of the message.
HP 888-560-8324 00
HSBC 800-477-6000 1, 3, 0
IBM 800-IBM-4YOU You go into a hold queue immediately
Ikea 800-434-4532 Press 0 many times quickly!
ING 800-464-3473 Direct to human.
INS/Citizenship 800-375-5283 Select language, then press 2, 6, 2, 4 at the prompts, press 0.
JC Penney 800-222-6161 Press 0 twice, ignoring error message.
Jet Blue 800-538-2583 0
Kayak.com 203-899-3120 0
Key Bank 800-539-2968 Remain on line; press nothing
K-Mart local store 0
Kodak Gallery (Ofoto) 800-360-9098 Say "customer service representative" repeatedly.
Kodak 800-235-6325 *7 or *28
kodak 800-235-6325 Press # after intro message.
Kohl's Credit 800 564-5740 After providing account info, press 0 three times
Konica Minolta 800-285-6422 0
LL Bean 800-441-5713 Direct to human
Lowe's 800-445-6937 Press 0 as the recording kicks in to get to the Operator
Lufthansa 800-399-5838 Direct to human.
Mariott Rewards 800-321-7396 Enter rewards number and press 0 (or just press 0 if you don't have the #).
Marshall Fields Credit Card 800-280-4356 After greeting, choose option #9, then press 0.
MasterCard 800-MC-ASSIST 000 on each menu
MBNA 800-421-2110 00 when menu starts
MCI/Costco Calling Card 800-938-4949 Press 2 four times.
Medco Health 1-800-770-2810 hit 0000 whenever a puter comes on
Medco 800-251-7690 0000, enter member id or say "i don't have a member id."
MEDCO 800-987-5269 Say "representative" after each message (3x).
Medicare 800-633-4227 After the opening prompt say "agent".
Medicare 800-633-4227 Say "agent" or press 0.
Medicare 800-MEDICARE RE; info for part "D" Medicare Prescription Drug Plans- When recording begins say "Agent" 5+ times.
Mellon Investor 800-649-3593 Wait through initial recording finishes, select nothing--wait--you will be connected to a live customer service rep
MetLife Bank 866-226-5638 Press # after each menu.
Metro PCS 888-863-8768 Press #43.
Microsoft 800-936-5700 Always 0. This is true for just about any MS number.
Moneygram 800-926-9400 Press 0 when menu starts.
Motorola 800-331-6456 Press 0 twice.
M&T Bank 800-724-2440 Press 0 at each prompt.
National Car Rental 800-227-7368 Direct to human.
NAVY FCU 800-914-9494 Press 2, then press * 3 times.
NetFlix 888-638-3549 0
Nextel 800-639-6111 Press 0 five times.
Northwest 800-225-2525 *, 0,0 after initial greeting
NOVA Information Systems 800 377-3962 Press 0
Old Navy 800-653-6289 0
Orbitz 888-656-4546 #,#,#,#,#
Overstock.com 800-843-2446 At the main menu, 0 three to four times to bypass the menu
Packet8 (VoIP) 888-898-8733 Ignore message, press 3, then 5 to get to CS rep
Panasonic 800-211-7262 0,0,0
Paypal Buyer Credit 866-571-3012 Be silent and at the end of the options press 6.
PayPal 402-935-7733 Say "agent."
Petco local store 3
Playstation 800-345-7669 0
PNC Bank 888-762-2265 Press * till it says "transfering to customer support;" takes about 3 *s.
Principal Life 800-247-4695 1 for english, 2, then 0 several times.
Privacy Guard 800-734-0199 Say "agent" or "no" or any word at each prompt.
Prudential Annuity Service Center 888-778-2888 Press *, *. At SSN prompt, press *, *. At end of message will reach rep.
Prudential Financial 800-778-2255 Say "Customer Service Representative" several times after intro.
QuickBooks 888-729-1996 1 purchase; 2 billing; 3 registration; 4 tech support or 0 to human
QVC 800-367-9444 0
Qwest 800-244-1111 Say "Agent" 5 times.
Radio Shack 800-843-7422 0,0
RadioShack local store Direct to human.
RBS Credit Card Services 800-747-8155 Press 0 at each prompt; eventually get rep.
RCN 800-746-4726 Press 5, then 3, then 1.
Rent-A-Center 800-422-8186 1
Rite Aid local store Press 3 to speak to the pharmacy
Safeway local store As soon as voice prompt starts type 1200 to get human
SBC DSL Support 877-722-3755 Say "no" and enter your phone # (or "yes" if calling from same number on account), then press 0 repeatedly.
SBC 800-585-7928 Again, an (intelligent, this time) IVR wants YOUR phone number first.
Sears Delivery 800-732-7747 *122
Sears Repairs 800-469-4663 Repeat "Help" everytime the IVR tries to give options.
Sears 800-4-MY-HOME Be silent to be put in queue for human.
Sharper Image 800-344-9919 Direct to human.
Simple Freedom 800-335-6401 Press 1, then 3, then 2.
Sirius 888 539-7474 0
Smith Barney Benefitaccess 888-822-6067 Press 0.
Social Security 800-772-1213 Press 00.
Sonos 800-680-2345 1 sales; 2 support
Sony 800-222-7669 When prompted, say "Agent."
Southwest 800-435-9792 Direct to human. (may hold if busy time)
Sovereign Bank 877-768-2265 Do not say anything or push any buttons. Eventually a human comes on the line.
Sports Illustrated 800-284-8800 0,0,0,0 (ignore "invalid entry" messages)
Sprint Broadband Direct 888-996-0001 Press 0 twice.
Sprint PCS 866-273-2163 Direct to human.
Sprint 800-658-7564 Direct to human.
Staples 800-333-3330 Just wait through intro and you will be connected to a representative.
Staples local store 0
State Farm Bank 877-734-2265 Press 0
Stop & Shop local number 0
SunCom 800-786-7378 Press 0 four to five times during or after opening message.
SunTrust 800-786-8787 Press # after each menu.
Symantec 800-441-7234 00
Target local store 0 during greeting.
TD Waterhouse 800-934-4448 Press # after opening prompt, then do it again after prompt to be transferred to rep.
The Company Store 800-285-3696 0
The Student Loan Corp. (Citibank) 800-967-2400 Choose option 5.
The Student Loan People 888-250-6401 Press 0 repeatedly.
TIAA-CREF 800-842-2252 Press 00 at each prompt.
Tiger Direct 888-999-7300 0
Time Magazine 866-731-5401 0,0,0,0 (ignore "invalid entry" messages)
TiVo 877-367-8486 Say "Live Agent"
T-Mobile 877-606-4801 Direct to human.
Toys "R" Us local store 0
TracFone 800-867-7183 Press 1 for English, wait for next menu to start, then press 5, then 4.
TransUnion 800-916-8800 No cheat necessary; 2nd prompt offers human contact
Travelocity 888-872-8356 #,#,#,#,#,#,#,#,#,# (ignoring "I'm sorry I did not understand" messages)
T. Rowe Price 800-225-5132 Press 0 at each prompt.
T. Rowe Price 800-922-9945 Say 'Representative' at every opportunity
Union Pacific 800-877-5123 Press # sign during main menu options.
United Health Care 866-844-4864 000000,0,0
United 800-864-8331 When you hear "let's get started" say "Agent" ... then "Domestic" or "International" as appropriate.
United 800-864-8331 Do nothing, wait for human.
UPS 800-742-5877 0,0
USAA 800-531-2265 Say "representative" at every opportunity.
USAA 800-531-6095 000 then #; or # initially to dial the extension of a specific representative
US Airways 800-428-4322 4, wait, 1
US Bank 800-872-2657 0000
U.S. Cellular 888-944-9400 Press 0.
US Dept. of Transportation 800-832-5660 Press 000.
USPS 800-275-8777 Press 3 at each prompt. Press 2 at the next recording.
Verizon 411 Directory Assistance 411 Press 0.
Verizon DSL 800-567-6789 Say "Agent" repeatedly.
Verizon Phone Repair 800-275-2355 Direct to human.
Verizon Wireless 800-922-0204 Press #00 or enter phone # then 0 then 4.
Veterans Affairs 800-827-1000 Press 1,0.
Virgin Mobile 888-322-1122 Press 2, then say: "English", "More Options", "Ask a Question", "Live Advisor", "Something Else", "I don't have one", then enter phone # or say "I don't have one."
Visa 800-847-2911 000 (ignore prompts saying that it's an invalid entry)
Vonage Customer Care 888-250-1799 Direct to human.
Wachovia 800-922-4684 0, 0
Walgreens Mail Order 800-635-3070 0,00
Walgreens local store 0 for a pharmacy employee
Wal Mart Credit Card 866-888-3868 0
Wal-Mart 800-925-6278 1 for directory
Walt Disney World 407-824-4521 Direct line to Magic Kingdom Guest Relations
Washington Mutual 800-756-8000 At any time after the announcement(s) press 0,0.
Washington Mutual 800-788-7000 Press 0 at each prompt regardless of the message.
Wells Fargo 800-869-3557 0,0,0 or when asked for account number say "I don't know"
Western Union 800-325-6000 * then ##
XM Radio 800-967-2346 0
XM Radio 800-998-7900 Direct to human.
Zone Labs, Inc. 877-966-5221 Press 2 for direct to human 24/7
259 companies as of Sat, 14-Jan-2006 04:51 CST
The IVR Cheat Sheet™ is Copyright 2006 by Paul English. See http://paulenglish.com/ivr/ for latest updates.