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.