Frequently Asked Questions

What is Secure the Call?
Secure the Call is a nonprofit company dedicated to providing free emergency 911 cell phones to people that need them. With the heightened state of alert that the country is facing and the ever-present threat of terrorism, we believe that it is more important than ever for people to be able to get help in an emergency.

Who benefits from the efforts of Secure the Call?
Secure the Call will benefit people who would otherwise not be able to obtain a 911 emergency cell phone. The program has the potential to help tens of thousands of people in the community. Over 40 community-based organizations have joined with Secure the Call to distribute phones to those who need them. For a complete list of the organizations involved in Secure the Call, click here.

What kinds of phones are you collecting?
Secure the Call accepts most makes and models of mobile phones. Most every mobile phone can be recycled.

What if I don't have the charger or other accessories for my phone?
You can still donate your phone even if you do not have all of the accessories that came with it originally. That said, the more complete your donation is, the easier it will be for it to be for it to be converted into a 911 emergency phone.

If my phone does not work, can I still donate it?
Yes. When donated phones go through the reprogramming process, minor repairs can be made. Depending on the nature of the defect, there still is a chance that it can be repaired and converted into a 911 emergency phone.

How do I donate a phone?
Donations can be dropped off at local Crown gas stations or participating Exxons. Secure the Call will also make donation boxes available to any organization that wishes to help in the collection effort. You can also mail in your donation. Click here to download a mailing label to attach to your donation.

What happens to my phone after I donate it?
All phones are cleaned, wiped clear of software and old numbers, reprogrammed and tested. Seventy percent of the phones collected will then be donated to one of over 40 organizations that are involved in the redistribution effort. The other thirty percent will be sold to companies that buy used phones in order to pay for the reprogramming of the donated phones.

Are tax receipts for my donation available?
Yes, donors can download a tax receipt for their donation by clicking here.

Is there a risk that I may get a phone bill for the next person that uses my phone?
No, as long as your phone has been disconnected from its service provider, there is no risk of getting a bill for a future user. Before a phone can be redistributed, the software in it is cleaned out, so there are not security or privacy issues.

Can I organize a collection locally?
Yes, if your organization is interested in helping with the collection effort, please call (301) 891-2900, and we will send you a donation box so that you can help. Once the box becomes full, we will come by and pick up your donations.

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