Telephone calling with automatic billing

Abstract

AN automatic calling service is provided wherein a subscriber predefines one or more destination telephone numbers, and calls to such number or numbers are billed to the subscriber's local telephone number. Calls are made to such destination numbers through a platform that may be reached via a toll free number. The calling party identifies him/herself as a subscriber, by entering a personal identification number, to authenticate him/herself as a person entitled to make such calls. Based upon the identification provided, a determination is then made as to whether the subscriber has stored one number, or more than one number. If one number is stored, the caller need not identify the destination number, and advantageously, that number is then dialed. If more than one number has been specified, the subscriber is prompted to provide an indication of the particular number desired. The call is then completed to the desired number. In either event, the identity of the subscriber is used to assure that the call is billed to the subscriber's local telephone number. In order to reduce the possibility of unauthorized access, a determination may also be made as to whether to call is originating from an eligible location, as by checking automatic number identification (ANI) information associated with the call.