How to Use Your Laptop As a Phone for Free

Google Voice
1. Open a browser on your laptop. Navigate to the Google Gmail website and log into your account. If you are not a Gmail user click 'Create an account' and provide your personal information to create an account.
2. Click the 'Call phone' link just below the email options list. A dial pad will open to the right of your laptop screen.
3. Dial the number you would like to reach using your laptop keypad or by clicking the numbers on the dial pad with your mouse. Click 'Call' to place your phone call.
Evaphone
4. Navigate to the Evaphone website and click 'Register now' to create your online account. Click 'Register' to save your account information.
5. Dial the number you would like to reach from your keypad and click the 'Call' button. Press 'Allow' in the 'Adobe Flash Player Settings' to allow or deny the Evaphone software to access your camera and microphone. If you deny access to your microphone, you will not be able to use the calling service.
6. Click the red 'End call' button to disconnect your call. Calls are limited to a certain number of minutes per day and users are only allowed two calls per day.
iCall
7. Open the iCall website on your Web browser and click 'From your computer' followed by 'Download iCall now.' The software wizard will begin automatically. Follow each step of the setup wizard to ensure proper installation of your iCall phone.
8. Open the iCall software from your computer desktop and click dial the phone number you would like to call using your laptop's keypad or by clicking the numbers on the dial pad.
9. Click 'Call' to place your phone calls. iCall phone calls are limited to five minutes and are automatically disconnected after the call reaches its limit. You can reconnect your call by calling the recipient from your iCall phone again.

How to Block Phone Calls for Free

1. Register with the National Do Not Call Registry. Once you are registered, telemarketers must stop calling you.
2. Block the calls through your cellphone. Some phones allow users to block calls from unwanted numbers. Consult your phone's manual or your cellular service provider, or search the Internet to find out whether your phone is capable of blocking calls, and how to block them. Applications for smartphones let users block calls as well. If you have a smartphone, check your phone's marketplace for a free application.
3. Contact your phone service provider. Some cellular and landline telephone providers allow you to block calls from certain numbers for free. The availability of the service and the number of phone numbers you can block vary by service provider.
4. Attach an inbound-call blocker to your landline phone. This is a device that requires inbound callers to enter a special code before their call will ring through on your line. You will receive calls only from those you have given your code.

SMS Text Scams

Ringtone Scams
Fotolia.com'>
Always read the small print when purchasing a ringtone.
The ringtone SMS text scams are among the most common. Certain companies advertise cheap ringtones with the illusion that customers who purchase them will receive the ringtone they choose at a bargain price. The reality of this scam is that there is also a continuous weekly, biweekly or even monthly payment that's automatically taken from a mobile phone user's account. Stopping the money from being taken is not so easy either, because the company's contact details are not usually shown on these scam advertisements, nor is the message to text to cancel any contract.
Missed Calls & Unknown Text Messages
The missed call and unknown SMS message scam occurs when the mobile phone owner realizes he has a missed called or text message. He attempts to call the number or reply to the message with a responding text message. Once he makes a reply, the mobile owner unknowingly has just paid money by being tricked into accepting a premium-rate mobile phone service contract.
Unexpected SMS Prizes
Fotolia.com'>
Don't be too quick to believe any text that states anything about parting with money for a prize.
The unexpected prize SMS text message scam happens when a mobile phone user receives a text message stating that he has won a prize. The scam side of this text includes part of the text message stating that to receive the prize, money must first be sent to the sender of the text. Prizes are more likely to never arrive, and if a prize does arrive, it may not be anything like what was originally expected.
Freebie SMS
Fotolia.com'>
Always ensure that a free text message service is really free.
A few companies provide free SMS text messaging packages. According to SMS Today, companies such as Freebie SMS provide a free SMS text service for individuals sending a text, but the receiver of the free text is expected to pay $7. The $7 automatically gets taken from the mobile phone billing company, and if the receiver has a pay-as-you-go mobile, then the money gets deducted straight from the mobile's credit.
SMS Scam - Debit or Credit Card Account Has Been Suspended
Fotolia.com'>
A reputable bank should never solicit you for personal information.
This scam is a mobile phone phishing scam. The mobile phone owner receives a text message stating that her debit or credit card has been suspended, and it comes with a contact number to call. Once the person calls the number to find out what is going on, another person waits on the other end of the line to write down details such as full name, address, account details and passwords. Once these scammers receive these details, they start emptying people's accounts. If there is a problem with any personal bank cards, then only call bank contact numbers displayed on previous statements.

How to Get Free Ringtones on Your Sprint Rumor

1. Navigate to a website that offers free ringtones (See References), and browse for the free ringtone that you want by music genre, artist title, album title or song title until you find the ringtone that you want to get for your Sprint Rumor.
2. Click on the ringtone to select it, and then input your 10-digit cell phone number into the provided text box. Select your cell phone service provider from the drop-down menu (in this case, your provider is Sprint). Then click 'Send' to send the free ringtone to your Sprint Rumor.
3. Click 'View' on your Sprint Rumor to open the text message. Then press the right soft key for 'Options' and select 'Save as Ringtone' to download the free ringtone to your Sprint Rumor.

How to Get Free Directory Assistance for Phone Numbers

1. Look at phone companies and popular search services to see what free directory assistance services you can find. You can look online using the search engine of your liking and search for 'free directory assistance', 'free phone number look up' etc.You can also be more specific in your search, such as 'free directory assistance for residential phone numbers', 'free business phone number search' etc.Be aware that some of these free programs will have you dial a toll free number and listen to a short advertisement. That is how they are able to offer the free directory assistance.
2. Check with your current land line or cell phone provider to see if they have a free directory service program you can use.
3. Determine which service is best for you. Make sure you understand all of the requirements, terms and services offered with each program.Some examples of free directory assistance for phone numbers can be found in the resources section below.

How to Send Text Messages Blocked From Websites

1. Go to an anonymous SMS texting service such as TextEmNow.com, TxtDrop.com, TextForFree.net, AllFreeTexting.com or FakeMyText.com.
2. Enter the recipient's cell phone number with area code and country code.
3. Enter a contact name or email address (you do not have to use your real name or email address here). You can also just leave this box blank if you want to remain completely anonymous.
4. Select the recipient's cell phone carrier. If you don't know who the carrier is, you can find out at FoneFinder.net. Simply enter the telephone number and the search engine will return the carrier's name. There is no charge for this service.
5. Enter the text message you want to send (140 characters maximum).
6. Press 'Send.' Your text message has been sent. The recipient will only see the information you chose to provide about yourself, if any.

How to Send a Free Anonymous Text Message

1. Choose an online text messaging service. Two choices with simple options are Textforfree and TxtEmNow.
2. Enter in the cell phone number of the person you would like to message. Most text messaging sites call this the 'receiver's cell phone number' or the 'receiver's mobile number,' although the name may vary.
3. Enter in the message you would like to send. Some websites offer up to 160 characters. However, you should not exceed 140 characters as some cellular companies use shorter allowed lengths.
4. Choose the carrier you would like to send the message to. For example the site you choose may list AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Nextel, Boost Mobile and other carriers. For these sites it is important that you choose the right option.
5. Look for an email option. If you have created a fake email, you may be able to receive email responses when the user reads your text message and wants to contact you back. By not using your own email address, you can remain anonymous but still possibly receive some feedback.
6. Click on the 'Send' option. This name may vary, but typically will be descriptive enough to indicate that you are sending your message.