Value Added Communications (VAC)
Advanced Payment Phone Calls
A pre–paid phone service exclusively available to Family and Friends.
Calls from offenders must be collect or pre-paid by a friend or family member. The Washington State inmate telephone service provider, Value Added Communications (VAC), allows an Advance Pay service for those who no longer can receive a traditional collect call. This discount service is currently offered to customers receiving calls from inmates at Washington Department of Corrections Institutions. The program allows customers the ability to setup a pre–paid account and receive calls at a discounted rate, in most cases.
Notice
As a result of continued "bad debt" customers not paying their bills, Local Exchange Carriers (LEC) have requested some relief from Value Added Communications (VAC). The new Credit Verification was implemented September 2010.
Collect Call Charges (excluding taxes and applicable fees)
These calls are paid for by the called party which show up on a phone bill.
- In–state Collect Calls: $3.50 plus any applicable taxes – flat rate per Completed Collect Call.
- Interstate Collect Call: $4.95 setup fee + $0.89 per minute plus any applicable taxes per Completed Collect Call.
AdvancePay
NOTICE: As of July 10, 2011 Out of State phone call rates have been reduced. Each out–of–state call will incur a $3.50 connection fee. Each minute will cost $.50 a minute plus applicable taxes. Calls will be limited to 20 minutes.
These are calls with discounted call rates, calls pre–paid by the called party.
- In–state Collect Calls: $3.15 plus any applicable taxes — flat rate per Completed Collect Call.
- Interstate Collect Call: $4.95 setup fee + $0.89 per minute plus any applicable taxes per Completed Pre–paid Call.
Receiving Calls From an Offender
Collect Calls
If you receive a collect call, you will first hear a pre–recorded message stating the Correction Facility’s name and the name of the offender who is asking you to accept the collect call. At that point you will be given the following options:
- Accept the collect call
- Deny the collect call
- Set up a pre–paid account managed by VAC’s Advance Pay Program (www.myvconnect.com)
- To set up account, you will Press ‘4’ and set it up immediately
Pre–Paid Calls
For friends and family that are unable to receive a traditional collect call, you will be notified that to receive calls from the offender you must set up an Advance Pay account. If you choose to set up an Advance Pay account, the call will be delayed and the inmate will be asked to wait at least 30 minutes before trying to call the number again in order to allow you time to establish an account.
Please be advised that, based on payment history, some customers may be required to open an Advance Pay account even though a direct billing account may already be established.
Creating an AdvancePay Account
To establish an Advance Pay account, a minimum payment of $25.00, up to a maximum payment of $100.00, must be made via credit card. There will be a $7.95 transaction fee applied for all credit card and Money Gram deposits. Other government fees and taxes may also apply.
VAC Standard Hours of Operation
A live Customer Service Representative is available Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 8:30 pm Central Standard Time and on Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:30pm Central Standard Time.
VAC Phone
Call 1-800-913-6097 to setup an account or to add money to an existing Advance Pay account.
VAC Website
Go to www.myvconnect.com to setup, fund and manage your own personal account.
VAC Address
Other forms of payment that are accepted include: cashier’s checks, money orders, or Money Grams.
The checks or money order must include the following information:
- Area code & phone number
- Name of DOC Facility
If you would like to send a money order for a V–Connect or V–Direct Account, checks and money orders will be processed with no transaction fee. They must be mailed to:
Value Added Communications (VAC)
Department 2430
PO Box 122430
Dallas, Texas 75312-2430
A VAC V–Direct Account, allows the offender to call any phone number that is on his or her Personal Allowed Number (PAN) list. V–Direct accounts can be established by calling 866-669-9975 or by accessing www.debitcalls.com.
Low funds Notice
When funds on a pre–paid account are low, an automated system will contact customers with the option to add more money to the account. All transactions occur in real time. When an inmate places a call to a number set up as a pre–paid account, funds are deducted from the account as soon as the call is complete.
Calling Rules
There is a 20–minute telephone call time limit. Both parties will hear a message at three intervals that tells them how much time remains (2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds). After 20 minutes, the telephone call will automatically disconnect.
There are a number of methods to prevent premature cutoffs from occurring:
- Do not attempt a 3–way call
- Do not set the phone down hard, such as on a table
- Do not have someone pick up the phone from another room
- Do not answer an incoming call when talking on the phone
Look at the frequently asked questions for more answers.
You can reach the Value Added Communications automated system 24 hours a day by calling 800-913-6097.