Reference

Bypass IVRS - Talk to a real person - cheatsheet

TechTarget Contributor

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 [email protected]
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

This was last updated in May 2008

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