Reference

Bypass IVRS - Talk to a real person - cheatsheet

Part of the Cheat sheets glossary:

Ever wish you could get a real person on the phone? We've got a cheatsheet that tells you how!

AAA Financial 1-800-523-7666 Press 0 at each menu no matter the response.
AARP Pharmacy Services 800-289-8849 when the computer voice is done hit 000 ignoring all untill you get a human voice hit 0000
ABN AMRO Mortgage 800-783-8900 Press ##0.
AccessoriesPlus1 845-698-4012 Site temporarily down. No contact information available.
Accredited Home Lenders 877-683-4466 Press 0
Adelphia 888-683-1000 Press * at each prompt (~ 6)
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.
All Brand Service by Maytag 800-462-9824 Press 0,0.
Alltel Cellular 800-255-8351 Press # four times.
Amazon.com 800-201-7575 Remain on the line to reach a customer service representative.
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 (Business) 800-492-3344 Press 0# at each prompt.
American Express 800-528-4800 0 repeatedly
American Funds 800-421-0180 Press 0.
America Online 800-827-6364 Press 0 repeatedly, ignoring all messages.
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.
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. 800-342-5283 Direct to human.
Anheuser-Busch 800-342-5283 Direct to human
Apple Care 800-275-2273 Press 0,0,0.
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 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.
Audible.com 888-283-5051 Press 3 or just wait through menu.
Aviall Services, Inc 800-284-2553 Direct to human.
Back to Basics 800-688-1989 Direct to human.
Banana Republic 888-277-8953
Bank of America 800 900 9000 At ANY Bank of America number, press 00 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 Wait through intro, after language choice it will put you in a hold for an agent
Bayview Loan Services 800-457-5105 Press 0.
Beechnut 800-233-2468 Direct to human.
Belkin Tech support 800-223-5546 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
Best Buy 888-237-8289 Press 1,1,1,#,# and then wait through the 3 prompts asking for your home telephone number.
Blair 800-458-2000 Direct to human.
Blockbuster Online 866-692-2789 Press 1,3,4.
Bloomingdales Credit 800-295-4057 Say "agent."
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
Cablevision 800-868-9840 Press 1 at 1st prompt. Then press * at each prompt. A person will answer but you might be put on hold.
Cannondale Bicycle Corp. 800-245-3872 Direct to human.
Canon USA 800-828-4040 Press 0.
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
Catholic Answers 888-291-8000 Direct to human.
Cellular One 888-910-9191 Press 4.
Charles Schwab 800-435-9050 3, 0
Charter Communications 888-438-2478 Press 0 eight times.
Charter 866-499-8080 Select language, 0,0,0,0,0,0 (and then hold :(
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 800-937-1294 Dial 333 to get connected to a customer service representative.
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 Press * at each prompt (~ 9). Or ignore messages (2 min).
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 store
Countrywide Loans 800-669-5864 Press 0 repeatedly
Cox Communications 877-247-2474 Press 4.
Critter Connection 215-895-9895 Out of business - send email to kcadoptables@yahoo.com.
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 Customer Service 800-624-9896 Press 0,0,0,0,0.
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 Faucet Company 800-345-3358 Press 0.
Delta 800-221-1212 Say "agent" 3-4 times - every time it asks for a response from you.
DGI Supply 800-923-6255 Press 0.
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 877-575-4332 Person answers.
Directv 800-494-4388 Silence, and you will be routed to a human/
Discover 800-347-2683 ****
DISH network 800-333-DISH Press 0 repeatedly. Transferred to a human or given an estimated wait time.
Dodge and Cox 800-621-3979 Press 0.
drugstore.com 800-378-4786 2, 5
DS Waters of America 800-669-3402 Press 1 or 2 for language and then press 0.
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
eCost.com 877-888-2678 Press 2, 2.
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 Magazine 866-228-1183 Say "agent" then "yes" when asked.
Epson 800-922-8911 yes
Equifax 866-640-2273 Choose option 3, then press 0 and wait patiently for human.
e*Trade 800-786-2575 #### (4 pound signs)
Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Co. 800-438-7352 Press 1 for touch-tone telephone and then press 7 for operator.
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)
FedEx 888-463-3339 At message say "Rep"; or press 0
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
Garmin International 800-800-1020 Press 1.
Gateway 800-846-2301 Press nothing and wait through message.
GE Appliance 800-626-2005 Press 0,0,0.
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
Georgia Boot 877-795-2410 Direct to human or individual voicemail.
Glucerna 800-986-8501 Direct to human.
GMAC Mortgage 800-766-4622 Press 0 at each prompt.
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".
Holmes 800-284-3267 Direct to human.
Home Depot 800-793-3768 # 2-3 times
Home Depot local store Direct to human.
Home Shopping Net 800-284-3100
Honda Financial Services 800-445-1358 Press 0 at each prompt regardless of the message.
Honeywell 800-468-1502 Press 1, 2, or 3 for language and press 1 for homeowner and then 9 for customer service.
Household Bank (Credit card) 800-771-7339 Press 0 at each prompt to get human.
HSBC 800-477-6000 1, 3, 0
IBM 800-IBM-4YOU You go into a hold queue immediately
IGIA 800-716-8667 Press 1 and then hold through the intermittant silence/music.
Ikea 800-434-4532 Press 0 many times quickly!
IndyMac Bank 800-781-7399 Press 0 at each prompt regardless of the message.
ING 800-464-3473 Direct to human.
JC Penney 800-222-6161 Press 0 twice, ignoring error message.
Jet Blue 800-538-2583
John Deere Credit 800-541-2969 Press 9 once IVR message starts.
JVC America 800-252-5722 Press 3.
Kayak.com 203-899-3120
Key Bank 800-539-2968 Remain on line; press nothing
KitchenAid 800-422-1230 Press 3,4,2 and then stay on the line.
K-Mart local store
Kodak Gallery (Ofoto) 800-360-9098 Say "customer service."
Kodak 800-235-6325 Press *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 Photo Imaging 800-285-6422 Press 0.
Linksys 800-326-7114 Press 1, 2, or 3 for language, wait through message and when menu starts press #,#,#.
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.
Macy's Credit Customer Service 866-593-2543 When asked to hear your account information say "No". Then say "More Options" - "Other Options" - "Agent"
Magnavox 800-705-2000 Say "agent" after selecting language.
Magnavox 800-705-2000 Say "English" in response to the language prompt. Then say "Speak to an agent".
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
Maytag 800-688-9900 Press 0,0.
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".
Mellon Investor 800-649-3593 Wait through initial recording finishes, select nothing--wait--you will be connected to a live customer service rep
Memorex Electronics 800-919-3647 Press 3 and hold through intermittant silence and recording.
Merril Lynch 800-229-9040 Press 0# at each prompt.
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.
Napster 800-839-4210 Wait for menu and then press 1,4,2.
National Car Rental 800-227-7368 Direct to human.
NAVY FCU 800-914-9494 Press 2, then press * 3 times.
NEBS, Inc. 800-225-9540 Hold for customer service.
Nelnet Student Loans 888-826-6055 Direct to human
Netflix 800-279-5688 Say "customer service."
NetFlix 888-638-3549
NETGEAR, Inc. 888-638-4327 Press 3,1.
Nextel 800-639-6111 Press 0 five times.
Nokia 888-665-4228 Press 1 for English, then wait for 3 repeats of the recording and then ignore the prompt for your telephone number.
Northwest 800-225-2525 *, 0,0 after initial greeting
NOVA Information Systems 800 377-3962 Press 0
Old Navy 800-653-6289
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
Palm 813-313-4913 Charge of $25 per call.
Panasonic 800-211-7262 Press 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 Press 0 and hold through the recording and then the silence.
PNC Bank 888-762-2265 Press * till it says "transfering to customer support;" takes about 3 *s.
Principal Financial Group 800-547-7754 Ignore prompt for social security, press ###.
Principal Life 800-247-4695 1 for english, 2, then 0 several times.
PrintingForLess.com 800-930-6040 Direct to human.
Privacy Guard 800-734-0199 Say "agent" or "no" or any word at each prompt.
Providian 800-280-0561 Press 000 at each prompt until transferred to human.
Prudential Annuity Service Center 888-778-2888 Press *, *. At SSN prompt, press *, *. At end of message will reach rep.
Prudential Financial 800-778-3932 Do nothing but listen to the prompts. A live person will come on the line shortly.
Prudential Financial 800-778-2255 Say "Customer Service Representative" several times after intro.
Qualcomm, Inc 800-544-4977 Wait for menu to begin, then press 0.
QuickBooks 888-729-1996 1 purchase; 2 billing; 3 registration; 4 tech support or 0 to human
QVC 800-367-9444
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.
Real Networks Rhapsody 866-311-0567 Direct to human.
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
Sallie Mae - Student Loans 888-272-5543 Don't speak or enter anything and you will be transferred to an agent.
Sallie Mae 888-272-5543 Press 00 at each prompt.
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.
Sealy 800-697-3259 Wait through all menu options (approximately 2.5 minutes) and hold for a customer service representative.
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 Press 1 at 1st prompt. Press 0 at the next prompt.
Smith Barney Benefitaccess 888-822-6067 Press 0.
Sonos, Inc. 800-680-2345 Press 1,1.
Sony Games 800-345-7669 Press 0 and hold through the recording and then the silence.
Sony 800-222-7669 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 Press 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.
Sprint 866-818-1858 Directly to human.
Staples 800-333-3330 Just wait through intro and you will be connected to a representative.
Staples local store
State Farm Bank 877-734-2265 Press 0
Stop & Shop local number
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 Working on the steps to get to a human - in the meantime, go to live-symantec.custhelp.com/ for live customer support
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
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
Time Magazine 866-731-5401 Press 0,0,0,0 (ignore "invalid entry" messages).
TiVo 877-367-8486 Say "Live Agent"
T-Mobile 877-606-4801 Direct to human.
Toyota Financial Services 800-874-8822 Just stay on the line. Do not hit "1" for English or "0" for Spanish.
Toys "R" Us local store
TracFone 800-339-9345 Direct to human.
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
TV Guide 800-866-1400 Say "customer service" three times.
uBid.com 866-946-8243 Direct to human.
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.
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 Education - Loans 800-848-0979 Say and do nothing at the prompt and you will be transfered to someone.
US Dept. of State - Passports 877-487-2778 Choose English, press 1, 3.
US Dept. of Transportation 800-832-5660 Press 000.
US Dept. of Veterans Affairs 800-827-1000 Press 1,0.
US Federal Trade Commission 877-382-4357 At each prompt, press 4, 5, 0.
US Homeland Security - FEMA 800-621-FEMA Select language (1 for English), Don't choose any option, just hold for human; or press 00
US Homeland Security - INS 800-375-5283 Select language, then press 2, 6, 2, 4 at the prompts, press 0.
US Medicare 800-633-4227 Say "agent" or press 0.
US Postal Service 800-275-8777 Press 3 at each prompt. Press 2 at the next recording.
US Social Security Admin 800-772-1213 Press 00.
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.
Virgin Mobile 888-322-1122 Say: "English", "More Options", "Ask a Question", "Live Advisor", "Something Else", then enter mobile # 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
Wal-Mart 800-925-6278 1 for directory
Walt Disney World 407-824-4521 Direct line to Magic Kingdom Guest Relations
Washington Mutual 800-788-7000 For all Washington Mutual numbers, 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 Money Orders 800-325-6000 Don't enter anything; let menu run 3 times; eventually will be transferred to rep.
Western Union 800-325-6000 * then ##
Whirlpool 800-253-1301 Press 0,0,0,# (ignore prompt for telephone number).
XM Radio 800-967-2346 Press 0.
XM Radio 800-998-7900 Direct to human. No estimated wait time given if placed on hold.
Zone Labs, Inc. 877-966-5221 Press 2 for direct to human 24/7

The gethuman.com website and content are Copyright 2006 by Paul M. English. Reprinted with permission. See http://gethuman.com for latest updates.

This was last updated in May 2008
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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