Calling U.S. Toll Free Numbers From Europe

Hardly Scammy, OP is referring to AT&T's overseas local access numbers. They allow you to call toll-free numbers and do collect calls when traveling outside of the USof A. Here is there list:

https://www.business.att.com/bt/access.jsp

ooh, something must be missing. Michael S's comment seems out of context.

All you need for completely free calls from Europe to US Toll-free numbers is a smartphone, a few cents' credit on a Skype account, and some wifi. The credit on the account is only to keep the account active. The actual call will be free.

Or use Hangouts.

In June, we found that the authorization to use the debit card for cash advances had expired, and I needed to call the company. I could not find how to make a collect call, and the people at the desk in the hotel in Frankfurt am Main could not understand my question. I simply called and talked for 15 minutes, got it all straightened out. Cost: €7.50. Not really too bad, as it was essential to get money from the bank-o-mats.

Skype allows free calls to US 800 numbers as well as a few other countries.

https://support.skype.com/en/faq/fa10613/how-do-i-make-a-call-on-skype

Thanks for the input. Michaels' list will be most helpful.

Is there an advantage to the "access codes", over several other options for international calling, that I am not aware of?

In the past, dialing the access code would then allow one to dial the U.S. toll free number directly without any charges. But then everything technological is changing every other week so that may not still be the case.

"Is there an advantage to the "access codes", over several other options for international calling, that I am not aware of?"

Yes, you get a English speaking operator, who will then place a collect call. (Paul, that's how I make collect calls). Once in Spain I had to call my credit cards and banks (I had forgotten to do this before I left), and using the AT&T USA Direct number, I was able to do this easily.

Here's another version of the AT&T USA Direct access number list, in PDF format: https://www.att.com/media/att/2012/support/pdf/USADirectTravel-AccessCodes.pdf

TC,

I never worry about dialing the toll free numbers. I just dial the regular number for whoever I'm calling (ie: credit card issuer), as my phone plan includes a bucket of minutes.