The family of Alison Chang, who lives in Texas, says Virgin Mobile grabbed the picture from Flickr, Yahoo Inc.'s popular photo-sharing Web site, and failed to credit by name the photographer who took the photo.
Chang's photo was part of a Virgin Mobile Australia campaign called "Are You With Us Or What?" It features pictures downloaded from Flickr superimposed with the company's ad slogans.
The picture of 16-year-old Chang flashing a peace sign was taken at an April church car wash by Alison's youth counselor, Justin Ho-Wee Wong, who posted it that day on his Flickr page, according to Alison's brother, Damon.
The commercial use was discovered when Brenton Cleeland, a photographer in Australia, noticed a bus stop ad in Adelaide featuring Chang, with a line on the bottom of the ad saying the image had been taken from flickr.com/photos/chewywong.
In the ad, Virgin Mobile printed one of its campaign slogans, "Dump your pen friend," over Alison's picture.
The ad also says "Free text virgin to virgin" at the bottom.
The germ: Salmonella, best known as a culprit of food poisoning. The trip: Space Shuttle STS-115, September 2006. The reason: Scientists wanted to see how space travel affects germs, so they took some along -- carefully wrapped -- for the ride. The result: Mice fed the space germs were three times more likely to get sick and died quicker than others fed identical germs that had remained behind on Earth.
''Wherever humans go, microbes go, you can't sterilize humans. Wherever we go, under the oceans or orbiting the earth, the microbes go with us, and it's important that we understand ... how they're going to change,'' explained Cheryl Nickerson, an associate professor at the Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology at Arizona State University.
Nickerson added, in a telephone interview, that learning more about changes in germs has the potential to lead to novel new countermeasures for infectious disease.
She reports the results of the salmonella study in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers placed identical strains of salmonella in containers and sent one into space aboard the shuttle, while the second was kept on Earth, under similar temperature conditions to the one in space.
Curious? Continue here.[via nytimes.com and brickshelf.com]
A kiss between University of Florida safety Tony Joiner and QB Tim Tebow on Saturday after Tebow made a second quarter touchdown pass to Cornelius Ingram has startled the college football world. It's not so often you see such a public display of affection between male athletes, particularly American jocks.
Here's the clip:
I came to a startling conclusion while testing the service last week. Despite my having mocked it in the past, SpiralFrog does in fact make sense because digital rights management is so restrictive that any music it "protects" should be free to download.
While others in the music industry move away from digital rights management, or DRM, SpiralFrog founder Joe Mohen says "the time is right" for SpiralFrog to debut, because internet advertising has become more effective, the majority of the service's under-30 target demographic has broadband, and record labels' declining sales have rendered them amenable to the ad-supported music model. He estimates that the service will need 10 million users per month in order to succeed (i.e., make money while paying labels' licensing fees).
Of course, none of this means a thing unless the service works from a user's point of view. I tested SpiralFrog last week to find out whether it's worth your while.
Registration is fairly quick, requiring a name, age, gender and ZIP code. Mac users can't use the service at all; Firefox users will probably need to install a Windows Media Player plug-in that requires all other browser windows to be closed (ugh). The site also requires Flash 9 and SpiralFrog's download manager, which allows a Download Queue window to follow you around the site as you choose stuff to grab.
SpiralFrog's catalog only contains about 770,000 songs, while iTunes boasts more than 6 million. SpiralFrog only has deals with one major label (Universal) and a smattering of smaller indie and regional labels (plus digital music distributors Ioda and The Orchard). I managed to find full albums from Sonic Youth, Pulp, Teenage Fanclub, R.E.M., The Velvet Underground and some other heavy hitters, but was frustrated to find lots of artists listed whose songs weren't actually available.
The situation could improve somewhat by the end of the year. SpiralFrog's label-relations head Jennifer Link said that no label she has approached has rejected the idea of making a deal with SpiralFrog outright, and the site already accepts artist submissions (with an upload feature to be added later). By the end of the year, Mohen estimates, the site will host 2 million or so tracks. Still, unless SpiralFrog can add -- at least -- all of the major labels, its service can only function as a secondary music source.
[Story continues here.]
When it comes to true sticking power, nothing holds its ground like chewing gum. Not to mention clinging to the bottom of your shoe or even worse, your seat on the bus or in the cinema. The sticky problem of discarded blobs of chewing gum costs taxpayers £150million a year to clean up.
But scientists may have found a solution: the world's first non-stick gum. Washed off pavements by rain alone, it could save millions in cleaning costs - and put an end to the days of having to scrape discarded gum from shoes, clothing and even out of the hair. Said to be tasty and chewy without being sticky, the Rev 7 gum , as it is called, could be on sale early next year. Its development, by scientists at Bristol University, could end a 25-year world-wide quest to find a low-adhesion chewing gum.
Made of a mixture of synthetic rubber, chalk, wax, sugar and flavourings, chewing gum's stickiness comes from an adhesive compound also used in car tyres. The scientists say they have managed to replace this with a non-stick synthetic material.
Curious? [the story continues here.]New here? You can receive new posts via RSS (What is RSS?) or subscribe via email at the top of this page...
1-800-FLOWERS.COM | 800-716-4851 | Direct to human. | |
AAA | 800-222-4357 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
AARP | 888-687-2277 | Press 0. | |
AARP Healthcare | 800-523-5800 | Press 1; at prompt press 4. | |
AARP MedicareRxPlan | 888-867-5575 | Press 1; hold through message. | |
AARP Pharmacy Services | 800-289-8849 | Press 1; hold through message. | |
ABN AMRO Mortgage | 800-783-8900 | Press #; at prompt press #; at prompt press 0. | |
Ace Hardware | 866-290-5334 | Press 0. | |
Adelphia | 888-683-1000 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Adobe Systems | 800-833-6687 | At prompt, press 1. | |
Advance Auto Parts | 800-314-4243 | Press 0. | |
Aetna | 800-738-7674 | Say "member"; press *0. | |
Aetna Rx Home Delivery | 800-227-5720 | Press 0. | |
AFLAC | 800-992-3522 | Press #; at prompt press #; at prompt press #; at prompt press 3. | |
AIG | 877-638-4244 | Direct to human. | |
Air Canada | 888-247-2262 | Press 1; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0. | |
AirTran Airlines | 800-204-5695 | Press 0. | |
Alamo | 800-462-5266 | Direct to human. | |
Alaska Air | 800-252-7522 | Press #. | |
Alitalia | 800-223-5730 | Press *. | |
Allmerica Financial | 800-533-7881 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Allstate | 800-255-7828 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Allstate Motor Club | 800-869-7997 | Direct to human. | |
Alltel Wireless | 800-255-8351 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Amazon Visa | 888-247-4080 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Amazon.com | 800-201-7575 | Don't press or say anything. | |
America Online | 800-827-6364 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
American Airlines | 800-433-7300 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
American Airlines Baggage | 800-535-5225 | Press 7. | |
American Express | 800-528-4800 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Ameriquest Mortage | 888-436-7571 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Amtrak | 877-444-4773 | Direct to human. | |
Apple | 800-275-2273 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
AT&T | 800-288-2747 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
AT&T Business | 800-750-2355 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
AT&T Universal Card | 800-423-4343 | Don't press or say anything. | |
AT&T Worldnet | 800-400-1447 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Auto Zone | 800-288-6966 | Press 1; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 0. | |
Avis | 800-230-4898 | Press 2. | |
Baby Bjorn | 866-424-0200 | Press 2. | |
Bank Card Svcs. | 800-655-1491 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Bank of America | 877-231-9372 | Direct to human. | |
Bank of America Credit | 800-732-9194 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Bank of New York | 800-225-5269 | Press ###. | |
Barclays | 877-523-0478 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Barnes & Noble | 800-422-7717 | Direct to human. | |
Barnes & Noble.com | 800-843-2665 | Press 16. | |
Bear Stearns | 888-807-6898 | Direct to human. | |
Bed, Bath & Beyond | 800-462-3966 | Press 4; hold. | |
Belkin Tech Support | 800-223-5546 | At prompt press 2263; press 1 at each prompt thereafter. | |
BellSouth | 888-757-6500 | Press *0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Bellsouth FastAccess DSL | 888-321-2375 | Press 1; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 2, ignoring messages. | |
Best Buy | 888-237-8289 | Press 2. | |
Best Buy Card | 800-365-0292 | Press 6 at each prompt, ingnoring recording. | |
Best Western | 800-780-7234 | Direct to human. | |
BJ's Wholesale Club | 800-257-2582 | Press 0#. | |
Black & Decker | 800-544-6986 | Direct to human. | |
Blockbuster | 214-854-3000 | Press 22. | |
Blockbuster Online | 866-692-2789 | Press 11. | |
Bloomingdales Credit | 800-295-4057 | Direct to human. | |
Blue Cross and Blue Shield | 877-526-3425 | Say "get associate" at prompt. | |
BMG Music | 317-692-9200 | Press #. | |
BMW | 800-831-1117 | Say "customer relations" and then press 1 for "vehicle" or 2 for "motorcycle." | |
Boost Mobile | 888-266-7848 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Borders | 888-812-6657 | Press 0. | |
Bosch Power Tools | 877-267-2499 | Press 100. | |
Bose | 800-444-2673 | Direct to human. | |
Briggs & Stratton | 414-259-5262 | Press 0 at prompt. | |
British Airways | 800-247-9297 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Brother International | 800-284-4329 | Press 7. | |
Budget Rent a Car | 800-527-0700 | Press 0. | |
Buick | 800-521-7300 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Buy.com | 800-800-0800 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Cabela's | 800-237-4444 | Direct to human. | |
Cablevision | 800-868-9840 | Press 1. Then press 0 at each subsequent prompt. | |
Cadillac | 800-333-4223 | Press 0. | |
Canon USA | 800-828-4040 | At prompt press *; at prompt press 0. | |
Capital One | 800-548-4593 | Press 0. | |
Card Services | 888-363-8001 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Caremark | 800-262-7890 | Press 0. | |
Carnival Cruise | 800-929-6400 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Casio | 800-706-2534 | Press 3. | |
Celebrity Cruises | 800-647-2251 | Press 0. | |
Cellular One | 888-910-9191 | Press 4. | |
Centers for Disease Control | 800-232-4636 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid | 800-999-1118 | Press 1000. | |
Ceridian Benefit Svcs. | 800-877-7994 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Charles Schwab | 800-435-9050 | Press 3, followed by eight digit account number | |
Charter Communications | 866-472-2200 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Chase Credit Cards | 800-432-3117 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Chase Home Finance | 800-848-9136 | Press #0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
CheapTickets | 800-755-4333 | Don't press or say anything; when offered customer service say "Yes." | |
CheapTrips | 800-211-5119 | Direct to human. | |
Chevrolet | 800-222-1020 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
ChevronTexaco Credit | 800-243-8766 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Chrysler Financial | 800-700-0738 | Say "agent" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Chrysler Group | 800-992-1997 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
CIGNA | 800-849-9000 | Press ## at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Cingular Wireless (AT&T) | 800-331-0500 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Cingular Wireless Warranty Dept. | 800-801-1101 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Circuit City | 800-843-2489 | Press 0. | |
Citi Cards | 800-633-7367 | Don't press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
Citi Simplicity | 866-696-5673 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Citibank | 800-756-7047 | Press 0# at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Citizens Bank | 800-922-9999 | Press 000. | |
Columbia House DVD | 888-467-7404 | Press 1 for English; then don't press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
Columbia Mutual Funds | 800-345-6611 | Say "representative." | |
Comcast | 800-266-2278 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Comcast | 800-266-2278 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Comfort Inn | 877-424-6423 | Direct to human. | |
Commonwealth Edison | 800-334-7661 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Compaq | 800-652-6672 | Say "operator" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Compass Bank | 800-239-5175 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
CompUSA | 800-266-7872 | Press 33. | |
CompUSA erebates | 888-716-8555 | Press **. | |
CompuServe | 800-848-8990 | Press 1211. | |
Computer Associates | 877-694-8509 | Press 2. | |
Consolidated Edison | 800-752-6633 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Consumers' Energy Company | 800-477-5050 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Continental Airlines | 800-784-4444 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Costco | 800-220-6000 | Press 55. | |
Costco.com | 800-955-2292 | Press 55. | |
Countrywide Loans | 800-669-5864 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
CVS.com | 888-607-4287 | Press 0. | |
Days Inn | 800-329-7466 | Direct to human. | |
Dell Financial Services | 800-283-2210 | Press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press #; at prompt press #. | |
Dell Sales | 800-624-9897 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Dell Tech Support | 800-624-9896 | Press 3; say "agent" at each additional prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Delta Airlines | 800-221-1212 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Delta Dental | 888-335-8227 | After language option, press 2 for existing or 3 for new account. | |
Detroit Edison (DTE) | 800-477-4747 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
DHL Express | 800-225-5345 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Dillard's | 800-345-5273 | Direct to human. | |
Diner's Club | 800-729-5309 | Press 2. | |
DirecTV | 800-824-9081 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Dirt Devil | 800-321-1134 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Discover | 800-347-2683 | Please enter your 16 digital account number | |
DISH network | 800-333-3474 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Disney Cruise Line | 800-951-3532 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Disney Shopping | 800-328-0368 | Press 0. | |
Disneyland Resort | 714-781-4000 | Direct to human. | |
Dodge | 800-992-1997 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Dodge and Cox | 800-621-3979 | Press 0. | |
Dollar Rent-A-Car | 800-800-4000 | Press 0. | |
Drugstore.com | 800-378-4786 | Press 2; at prompt press 5. | |
Earthlink | 888-327-8454 | Press 1; press 0 at each prompt thereafter, ignoring messages. | |
eBay | 800-322-9266 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Eddie Bauer | 800-426-8020 | Press 1. | |
Enterprise Rent-A-Car | 800-261-7331 | Press 3 at prompt. | |
Entertainment Weekly | 866-228-1183 | Say "agent." Say "yes." | |
Epson | 800-533-3731 | Direct to human. | |
Equifax | 866-640-2273 | Press 30 at each prompt, ignoring message. | |
e*Trade | 800-786-2575 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Eureka Vacuum | 800-438-7352 | Press 17. | |
Evenflo | 800-233-5921 | Press 4. | |
Expedia | 800-397-3342 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Experian | 800-493-1058 | Say "yes"; enter report #; enter social security #; say "yes"; say "agent" then "yes" to confirm at prompts thereafter. | |
Express Scripts | 800-206-4005 | Press 0. | |
Exxon Mobil Card | 800-344-4355 | Press 000, ignoring message. | |
Farmer's Insurance | 800-435-7764 | Do not press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
FedEx | 800-463-3339 | Say "representative" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Fidelity | 800-544-6666 | Ignore prompt for social security number; press ###. | |
First Nat'l Bank of Omaha | 888-530-3626 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Fisher-Price | 800-432-5437 | Do not press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
Florida Power & Light | 800-226-3545 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Ford | 800-392-3673 | Press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 0. | |
Ford Interest Advantage | 800-462-2614 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Ford Motor Credit | 800-727-7000 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Four Points by Sheraton | 888-625-5144 | Press 17. | |
FreeCreditReport.com | 877-481-6825 | Press 51 at prompt. | |
Frigidaire Parts | 800-599-7569 | Press 3. | |
FTD | 800-736-3383 | Press 2. | |
Fujitsu PC Support | 800-385-4878 | Press 00. | |
Gap Credit Card | 800-887-1198 | Press 000 at each prompt; ignore request for account number. | |
Gateway Computers | 800-846-2000 | Press 4; say "no" at each additional prompt. | |
GE Appliances | 800-626-2005 | Press 000. | |
GE Finance CareCredit | 866-893-7864 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
GE MONEY BANK | 877-317-5544 | Press 1, then don't press or say anything. | |
Geek Squad | 800-433-5778 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
GEICO | 800-841-3000 | At prompt press 6; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 5; at prompt press #. | |
Georgia Power | 888-660-5890 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
GM MasterCard | 800-947-1000 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
GMAC | 800-200-4622 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
GMC | 800-462-8782 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
GoDaddy.com | 480-505-8899 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds | 800-762-5035 | Direct to human. | |
Goodyear Tire | 800-321-2136 | Press 1; at prompt press 5. | |
650-623-4000 | Press 0. | ||
Google AdWords | 866-246-6453 | Press 22. | |
Graco | 800-345-4109 | Press 0. | |
Great West Health | 800-663-8081 | Press 1; at prompt press 1; press 4 at each prompt thereafter, ignoring messages. | |
Greyhound | 800-231-2222 | Press 26. | |
Hampton Inn | 800-426-7866 | Direct to human. | |
Harley-Davidson | 414-343-4056 | Press 0. | |
Hertz | 800-654-3131 | Direct to human. | |
Hewlett-Packard | 800-474-6836 | Say "agent" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Hilton HHonors | 800-548-8690 | Press 5 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Hitachi | 800-448-2244 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Holiday Inn | 800-465-4329 | Press 0; at prompt press 0. | |
Holmes | 800-284-3267 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Home Depot | 800-793-3768 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Home Depot Credit | 800-677-0232 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Home Shopping Net | 800-284-3100 | Press 0. | |
Honda | 800-999-1009 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Honda Financial Svcs. | 800-445-1358 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Honeywell | 800-468-1502 | Press 11900. | |
Hoover | 800-944-9202 | Press 52. | |
Hotels.com | 800-346-8357 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring prompts. | |
Hotwire | 866-468-9473 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Household Bank Credit | 800-771-7339 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
H&R Block Advisors | 866-295-7912 | Press 3; at prompt press 2. | |
HSBC | 800-477-6000 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Hughesnet | 866-347-3292 | Press 2. | |
Humana | 800-448-6262 | At prompts say "member," "pharmacy," "prescription benefits"; give invalid ID. | |
Humana Medicare Claims | 800-457-4708 | Press *; at prompt press *; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press *. | |
Hyatt Corporation | 888-591-1234 | Direct to human. | |
IBM | 800-426-4968 | Direct to human. | |
Ikea | 800-434-4532 | Press 0 quickly and repeatedly. | |
ING Direct | 800-464-3473 | Direct to human. | |
Intuit | 800-811-8766 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
JC Penney Catalog | 800-222-6161 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
JC Penny Credit | 800-542-0800 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Jeep | 800-992-1997 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
JetBlue Airways | 800-538-2583 | Press 0. | |
John Deere | 800-537-8233 | Press 1; at prompt press 4. | |
John Hancock | 800-732-5543 | Press 2; at prompt press 0. | |
Johnson & Johnson | 800-526-3967 | Press 0. | |
JP Morgan Chase | 800-392-5749 | Press 131. | |
Juno | 888-839-5866 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
JVC America | 800-252-5722 | Press 3. | |
Kensington Tech Support | 800-535-4242 | Press 11. | |
KitchenAid | 800-422-1230 | Press 3420. | |
Kmart | 866-562-7848 | Press 12. | |
Kodak | 800-235-6325 | Press #. | |
Kodak Gallery (Ofoto) | 800-360-9098 | Say "agent." | |
Kohls Credit | 800-564-5740 | Press # at each prompt, ignorning messages. | |
Kolcraft | 800-453-7673 | Direct to human. | |
Lands End | 800-743-9706 | Direct to human. | |
Le Meridien | 888-625-5144 | Press 13. | |
Lexmark | 800-539-6275 | Press 1. | |
Liberty Mutual (Claims) | 800-225-2467 | Press 10. | |
Lincoln Mercury | 800-521-4140 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Linksys | 800-326-7114 | Press 1; at prompt press ###. | |
Little Tikes | 800-321-0183 | Press 11. | |
LL Bean | 800-441-5713 | Direct to human. | |
Logitech | 702-269-3457 | Press 2000. | |
Lord & Taylor Credit | 800-223-7440 | Press 2002. | |
Lowe's | 800-445-6937 | Press 0. | |
Lowes Visa | 800-508-2520 | Press 0# at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Lufthansa | 800-399-5838 | Direct to human. | |
Luxury Collection Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 15. | |
Macy's | 800-289-6229 | Press 4; press *# at each prompt thereafter. | |
Macy's Credit | 800-280-4356 | Press 9; press 0 at each prompt thereafter, ignoring messages. | |
Magnavox | 800-705-2000 | Select language. Say "agent." | |
Mariott Rewards | 800-321-7396 | Press 0. | |
Marriot International | 800-228-9290 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring prompts. | |
MasterCard | 800-622-7747 | Press 000 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Mattel | 800-524-8697 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Maytag | 800-462-9824 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Mazda | 800-222-5500 | Press 0. | |
MBNA | 800-421-2110 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
McAfee | 888-847-8766 | Press #40. | |
MCI | 888-624-5622 | Press 2 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Medco Insurance | 800-251-7690 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Medco Pharmacy | 800-987-5269 | Say "representative" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Medicare | 800-633-4227 | Say "agent." | |
Mellon Investor | 800-522-6645 | Press #. | |
Memorex Electronics | 800-919-3647 | Press 333. | |
Merrill Lynch | 800-637-7455 | Say "Advisor". | |
MetLife | 800-560-5001 | Press ####. | |
MetLife Bank | 866-226-5638 | Press 000 rapidly and repeatedly, ignoring messages. | |
Metro PCS | 888-863-8768 | Don't press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
Microsoft Tech Support | 800-642-7676 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Midwest Airlines | 800-452-2022 | Press **. | |
Money Magazine | 800-633-9970 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Moneygram | 800-926-9400 | Press 0. | |
Morgan Stanley | 800-869-3326 | Press 00. | |
Motel 6 | 800-466-8356 | Direct to human. | |
Motorola | 800-331-6456 | Press 00. | |
MSN | 800-386-5550 | Say "agent" at each prompt, until offered a representative; say "yes." | |
Napster | 800-839-4210 | Press 33; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 2. | |
National Car Rental | 800-227-7368 | Direct to human. | |
Nationwide Insurance Claims | 800-421-3535 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Nautilus (Bowflex) | 800-628-8458 | Press 3; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 4. | |
NetFlix | 888-638-3549 | Press 0 at each prompt. | |
Netgear | 888-638-4327 | At prompt press 41. | |
Netscape | 866-541-8233 | Press 000. | |
NetZero | 866-841-1442 | Press #### at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
New York Times | 800-698-4637 | Press 500. | |
Newsweek | 800-631-1040 | Press 0. | |
Nikon Service | 800-645-6687 | Press 4 at prompt. | |
Nintendo | 800-255-3700 | Press 0. | |
Nissan Credit (NMAC) | 800-888-2799 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Nissan USA | 800-647-7261 | Press #. | |
Nokia | 888-665-4228 | At prompt press 1; at prompt press 3; at prompt press 1. | |
Nordstrom | 888-282-6060 | Direct to human. | |
Northwest Airlines | 800-692-6980 | Direct to human. | |
Northwest Airlines WorldPerks | 800-447-3757 | At prompts say "WorldPerks," "agent," "yes," "agent," "yes." | |
Northwestern Mutual | 800-388-8123 | Press 0; press 1 to participate or 2 to decline survey. | |
Norwegian Cruise Line | 866-234-0292 | Don't press or say anything. | |
NY Life Benefit Services | 800-294-3575 | Press 0. | |
NY Life Retirement Svcs. | 800-586-1413 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Office Depot | 888-463-3768 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
OfficeMax | 800-283-7674 | Press 2. | |
OfficeMax Rebates | 866-765-5702 | Press 2; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 2; enter fake phone #; press 1 to confirm; press 1 to confirm. | |
Olympus - Digital | 888-553-4448 | Press 5; at prompt press 0. | |
Omron Healthcare | 877-216-1333 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Orbitz | 888-656-4546 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Overstock.com | 800-843-2446 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Pacific Gas & Electric | 800-743-5000 | At prompt say "Operator"; at prompt say "Yes"; at prompt say "Operator"; at prompt say "Yes." | |
Palm | 800-881-7256 | Press 1; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 2. | |
Panasonic | 800-211-7262 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
PayPal | 888-221-1161 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
PayPal Buyer Credit | 866-571-3012 | Say "agent" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
PC World | 800-234-3498 | Press *; at prompt press 2. | |
People Magazine | 866-365-1620 | Press 0. | |
People PC | 800-736-7537 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Pep Boys | 800-737-2697 | Press 33; at prompt press 1; hold through prompts for representative. | |
PepsiCo | 800-433-2652 | Press 0. | |
PETCO | 888-824-7257 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Philips Electronics | 888-744-5477 | Say "agent." | |
Pitney Bowes Equipment | 800-522-0020 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
PNC Bank | 888-762-2265 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Poland Spring | 800-950-9396 | Say "representative" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Polaroid | 800-343-5000 | Press 0. | |
Pontiac | 800-762-2737 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Pottery Barn | 888-779-5176 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Priceline | 800-774-2354 | At prompt press 1; at prompt press 1; at prompt enter phone number #; at prompt enter phone number #; at prompt enter phone number #. | |
Primerica | 800-544-5445 | Press 0. | |
Princess Cruise Line | 800-774-6237 | Press 0. | |
Principal Financial | 800-547-7754 | Enter social security #, then press 0. | |
Principal Life | 800-247-4695 | Press 1; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0. | |
Procter & Gamble | 800-331-3774 | Press 1. | |
Progressive Insurance | 800-776-4737 | Press 000. | |
Prudential Annuity | 888-778-2888 | Press ** at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Prudential Financial | 800-778-3932 | Direct to human. | |
Public Service Electric & Gas | 800-436-7734 | Press 0. | |
Qantas | 800-227-4500 | Press 3; at prompt press 2; hold through message. | |
QuickBooks | 888-729-1996 | Press 0. | |
QVC | 800-367-9444 | Press 0. | |
Qwest | 800-244-1111 | Press 1; say "operator" at all subsequent prompts. | |
Radio Shack | 800-843-7422 | Press 0; at prompt press 0. | |
Radisson | 888-201-1718 | Direct to human. | |
Ramada | 800-828-6644 | Direct to human. | |
RBS Credit Card | 800-747-8155 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
RCA / Thompson Electronics | 877-794-7977 | Press 2. | |
RCN | 800-746-4726 | Press 1; at prompt press 3; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 4. | |
Reader's Digest | 800-304-2807 | Press 0. | |
Reliant Energy | 866-222-7100 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Rent-A-Center | 800-422-8186 | Press 1. | |
Rite Aid | 800-748-3243 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines | 866-562-7625 | Press 0. | |
Ryder Customer Service | 305-500-3726 | Direct to human. | |
Ryder Rentals | 800-297-9337 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Sallie Mae | 888-272-5543 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Sam's Club | 800-964-1917 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Sam's Club Credit | 800-203-5764 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Samsung | 800-726-7864 | Press 2; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 3; at prompt press 3. | |
Saturn | 800 553-6000 | Press 3. | |
SBC DSL support | 877-722-3755 | Say "sales". | |
Sears | 800-469-4663 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Sears Credit Card | 800-917-7700 | Press 0000000; press 0 at subsequent prompts. | |
Sears Delivery | 800-732-7747 | Press 95111. | |
Secure Horizons | 800-228-2144 | Say "prospective member". | |
Sharp | 800-237-4277 | Press 1132. | |
Shell Gasoline Card | 800-490-9119 | Press 0 when prompted for an account number. | |
Sheraton Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 12. | |
Simple Freedom | 800-335-6401 | Press #0#0. | |
Sirius | 888 539-7474 | Press 1; at prompt press 0. | |
Smith Barney Benefitaccess | 888-822-6067 | Press 0. | |
Sony / Playstation | 800-222-7669 | Say "agent"; at prompt say "agent"; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 1. | |
Sony Ericsson Mobile | 866-766-9374 | Select language. | |
Southern CA Edison | 800-655-4555 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Southwest | 800-435-9792 | Direct to human. | |
Sovereign Bank | 877-768-2265 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Spirit Air | 800-772-7117 | Press 00. | |
Sports Illustrated | 800-284-8800 | Press ###, ignoring messages. | |
Sprint - Nextel | 800-639-6111 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Sprint Broadband Direct | 888-996-0001 | Press 00. | |
Sprint Long Distance | 800-877-4646 | Press 000 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Sprint Mobile | 877-349-4413 | Direct to human. | |
St. Regis Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 0. | |
Staples | 800-333-3330 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Staples Easy Rebates | 877-266-6483 | Wait for "main menu" then press 0 * *. | |
Starbucks Coffee | 800-782-7282 | Press 0. | |
State Farm Auto Insurance | 877-734-2265 | At prompt, say "insurance." | |
State Farm Bank | 877-734-2265 | Say "operator" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Student Loan Corp. | 800-967-2400 | Press 5. | |
Student Loan People | 888-250-6401 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
SunCom | 800-786-7378 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
SUNOCO | 800-278-6626 | Press 00000; mumble when prompted for an account number. | |
SunTrust | 800-786-8787 | Press # rapidly and repeatedly. | |
Super 8 | 800-800-8000 | Direct to human. | |
Symantec | 800-441-7234 | Don't press or say anything, ignoring prompts. | |
T. Rowe Price | 800-922-9945 | Say "operator" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
T-Mobile | 877-537-7389 | Direct to human. | |
Talk America | 800-291-9699 | Say "Agent"; confirm phone number; say "agent" at each prompt thereafter. | |
Target | 800 591-3869 | Press 2; don't press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
Target Online | 800 591-3869 | Press 1; don't press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
TD Ameritrade | 800-669-3900 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
TD Bank | 888-751-9000 | Direct to human. | |
Tech SupportT-Mobile | 877-369-4588 | Direct to human. | |
Telecheck | 800-710-9898 | Press 1, 3, * at prompts. | |
Teleflora | 800-835-3356 | Press 2. | |
Texas Instruments | 800-842-2737 | Press 0 # and hold. | |
Textron Financial | 800-388-1826 | Direct to human. | |
The Company Store | 800-285-3696 | Press 0. | |
Thrifty Car Rental | 800-847-4389 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
TIAA-CREF | 800-842-2733 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Ticketmaster | Local | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Timberland | 888-802-9947 | Press 0. | |
Time Magazine | 800-843-8463 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Time Warner Cable | Local | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Time Warner Road Runner | 877-318-8333 | Direct to human. | |
TiVo | 877-367-8486 | Say "Agent" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
TJ Maxx | 800-926-6299 | Don't press or say anything. | |
TomTom | 866-486-6866 | Press 1. | |
Toshiba | 800-457-7777 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Toyota | 800-331-4331 | Press 6. | |
Toyota Financial Svcs. | 800-874-8822 | Select Language option; press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Toys ''R'' Us | 800-869-7787 | Press 1; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 7; at prompt press 2; hold through requests. | |
Tracfone | 800-323-2366 | Direct to human. | |
TransUnion | 800-916-8800 | Press 2 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Travelers Insurance | 800-252-4633 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Travelocity | 888-872-8356 | Press ### at prompt. | |
TrueValue | 773-695-5000 | Press 0 and ask for customer service. | |
TV Guide | 800-866-1400 | Say "customer service" twice. | |
TXU Energy | 800-218-7130 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Ubid.com | 800-317-7995 | Hold for representative. | |
UHAUL | 800-789-3638 | Direct to human. | |
Union Pacific | 800-877-5123 | Press #. | |
United | 800-864-8331 | Press 0; say "agent," say "yes"; say "domestic" or "international" as appropriate. | |
UnitedHealth | 800-585-6586 | Select type. Say "Representative" three times. | |
Universal Studios Hollywood | 800-864-8377 | Press 4. | |
Upromise | 888-434-9111 | Press 0. | |
UPS | 800-742-5877 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
UPS (International) | 800-782-7892 | Say "Agent" at prompt. | |
US Airways | 800-428-4322 | Press 41. | |
US Bank | 800-872-2657 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
US Bank Visa | 800-285-8585 | Say "operator" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
U.S. Cellular | 888-944-9400 | Press 0. | |
US Citizenship & Immigration | 800-375-5283 | Select language; press 2; press 4; at prompt press 0. | |
US Dept. of Edu - Financial Aid | 800-433-3243 | Select language then press *0. | |
US Dept. of Edu - Loans | 800-848-0979 | Don't press or say anything. | |
US Dept. of State - Passports | 877-487-2778 | Select language and then press 10. | |
US Dept. of Transportation | 800-832-5660 | Press 000. | |
US Dept. of Veterans Affairs | 800-827-1000 | Press 10. | |
US FBI | 202-324-3000 | Direct to human. | |
US Federal Trade Commission | 877-382-4357 | Press 450 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
US Fish & Wildlife | 800-344-9453 | Press 0. | |
US Food & Drug Admin | 301-827-4573 | Press 1. | |
US Homeland Security - FEMA | 800-621-3362 | At first prompt, select language; press 00. | |
US IRS | 800-829-1040 | Don't press or say anything. | |
US Mint | 800-872-6468 | Press 0. | |
US Postal Service | 800-275-8777 | Press 5 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
US Social Security Admin | 800-772-1213 | Press 1; press 0 at each prompt, until SS# is requested; enter SS#. | |
USA Today | 800-872-0001 | Press 0. | |
USAA | 800-531-6095 | Press 000#; at prompt press #. | |
USAA Investment Mgmt | 800-531-8448 | Press 0# at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Vanguard Funds | 800-662-2739 | Press 0. | |
Verizon Billing | 888-780-3964 | When prompted for phone number, say "Operator." Repeat if necessary. | |
Verizon Business | 888-649-9500 | Say "representative" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Verizon DSL | 800-567-6789 | Say "agent" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Verizon FiOS | 888-553-1555 | Say "operator" at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Verizon Fraud | 888-483-7200 | Direct to human. | |
Verizon (land line) | 800-483-3000 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Verizon Repair | 800-275-2355 | Direct to human at times, otherwise press 00. | |
Verizon Wireless | 800-922-0204 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Victoria's Secret | 800-411-5116 | Press 0 at each prompt. | |
Virgin Atlantic | 800-821-5438 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Virgin Mobile | 888 292 8223 | At prompt say, "English"; at prompt say, "something else"; at each additional prompt say, "live advisor" until mobile number is requested; enter mobile number. | |
Virginia Electric & Power | 888-667-3000 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Visa | 800-847-2911 | Press 0 at each prompt; ignoring messages. | |
Volkswagen | 800-822-8987 | At prompt, press 32; if offered, press 1 to take survey or 2 to decline. | |
Volvo | 800-458-1552 | Press 0, ignoring messages. | |
Vonage | 866-243-4357 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
W Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 16. | |
Wachovia | 800-922-4684 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Wal-Mart | 800-925-6278 | Press 1433. | |
Wal-Mart Credit Card | 866-888-3868 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Wal-Mart.com | 800-966-6546 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messges. | |
Walgreens | 877-250-5823 | Direct to human. | |
Wall Street Journal | 800-568-7625 | Press 0 at prompt; press # at prompt; press # at prompt. | |
Walt Disney World | 407-824-2222 | Direct to human. | |
Washington Mutual | 800-356-0011 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Washington Mutual | 800-788-7000 | At first prompt press 1. Then press # at each additional prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Washington Post | 800-627-1150 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Wells Fargo | 800-869-3557 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Wells Fargo Credit | 800-642-4720 | Press 0# at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Western Union | 800-634-1311 | Press *##. | |
Westin Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 11. | |
Whirlpool | 800-253-1301 | Press 421; at prompt press #. | |
White House | 202-456-1414 | Direct to human. | |
Williams-Sonoma | 877-812-6235 | Don't press or say anything. | |
Wirefly | 888-843-2485 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Wisconsin Electric | 800-242-9137 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Xbox | 800-469-9269 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
Xerox | 800-822-2979 | Press 0. | |
XM Radio | 800-967-2346 | Press 0 and then say "customer service." | |
Yahoo | 866-562-7219 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. |
500 companies as of Wed, 07-Jan-2009 00:01 CST