Minnesota Relay strives to provide the best relay services available and we appreciate feedback about your experience with using our relay services. Please have the following information available when filing a commendation, complaint, or expressing a concern:
What is Considered a Complaint
Technically, a complaint is anything that violates the federal Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) regulations. Examples include:
Options for Filing a Complaint or Commendation
Minnesota Relay users have the following options for filing a complaint or commendation:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that each state file an annual report regarding relay service complaints. All complaints are documented, including how and when the complaint was reported and resolved.
Complaints Regarding Internet-Based Relay Services
Internet-based relay services, such as VRS, IP Relay, WebCapTel, IP Captioned Telephone Services, and so forth are not under the state’s jurisdiction (we do not have legal authority over these services). Internet-based relay services are overseen by the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s). If you have a complaint regarding an Internet-based relay service, please contact the Internet-based relay provider that handled your call (e.g. AT&T, CSDVRS, Hamilton, Purple, Sorenson, Sprint, etc.), or you may contact the FCC at 1-888-225-5322 (voice), 1-888-835-5322 (TTY), or online at www.fcc.gov/complaints.
Suspected Fraudulent Business Transactions Via Internet Protocol (IP) Relay
People without disabilities who are posing as deaf or hard of hearing consumers are misusing IP Relay to perpetrate fraud, often by using stolen or fake credit cards.
We remind businesses that if they accept calls, receive orders, or do business by phone with the public, the ADA requires them to accept calls, receive orders, and do business by phone with members of the public who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabiled and use TRS. By working together, the FCC, law enforcement, informed businesses and TRS providers can combat fraud and ensure that people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech disability have equal access to the products and services any business has to offer.
For information on steps that business can take to protect themselves against fraud, please see the FCC Consumer Advisory on Doing Business Using IP Relay, available online at http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/iprelayfraud.pdf.
If you have been a victim of fraud or attempted fraud, you can report it directly to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). You can also report such activities to state law enforcement agencies. Further, you can file complaints and information regarding Internet crimes with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at www.ic3.gov/default.aspx.
Business Is Hanging Up on Relay Calls
Many businesses unknowingly hang-up when they receive a Minnesota Relay call because they think it is a telemarketer, because they are concerned that they will be defrauded, or because they don’t understand how a telephone call through Minnesota Relay works.
If you have tried to contact a business through Minnesota Relay but the business hung up on you or wouldn’t accept your call, please complete the Business Hanging Up on Your Relay Call form (.pdf) and fax or mail it to us. We will contact the business and provide them with information on how to accept and place a relay call. By educating businesses, relay users experience less hang ups on their calls.
Presentations and Trainings
Minnesota Relay’s outreach office is available to:
Voice: 651-602-9005 or 1-800-657-3775
TTY: 1-888-206-6555
VP: 651-964-1514 / 1-866-635-0082
E-mail: mn.relay@state.mn.us
Fax: 651-431-7587
Applying for a Job at the Minnesota Relay Call Center
The Minnesota Relay call center is located in Moorhead, MN, and is operated by Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). To apply for a job as a Communications Assistant at the Moorhead center, please contact:
Minnesota Relay Center
800 Holiday Drive, Suite #260
Moorhead, MN 56560
Phone: 218-291-1120 (voice/TTY)
Fax: 218-291-1154
Contacts
Minnesota Department of Commerce - TAM Program
85 7th Place East, Suite 600
St. Paul, MN 55101-3165
Voice: 651-296-0412 / 1-800-657-3775
Fax: 651-297-7891
E-mail: mn.relay@state.mn.us
Web site: www.mnrelay.org
Minnesota Relay Outreach
Voice: 651-602-9005 / 1-800-657-3775
TTY: 1-888-206-6555
VP: 651-964-1514 / 1-866-635-0082
Fax: 651-431-7587
E-mail: mn.relay@state.mn.us
Web site: www.mnrelay.org
Sprint Relay’s 24-hour Customer Service
Voice/TTY: 1-800-676-3777
E-mail: Sprint.TRSCustServ@sprint.com
Online: www.sprintrelay.com/contact_us/index.php
Fax: 1-877-877-3291
En Español: 1-800-676-4290
CapTel’s 24-hour Customer Service (excluding holidays)
One-touch access: Press the blue CUST SERV button on you CapTel phone
Voice/CapTel/TTY: 1-888-269-7477
E-mail: CapTel@CapTel.com
Online: www.captel.com/contact-us.php
Online Chat: www.captel.com/customer-service.php
Fax: 1-608-204-6167
En Español: 1-866-670-9134
Copyright © 2012 Minnesota Department of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
Minnesota Department of Commerce + 85 Seventh Place East + Saint Paul, MN 55101