Prepaid phone cards can be bought at many retail sites as well as by mail and on the Internet. Before purchasing a prepaid phone card, it is important to ask the salesperson about in-state, state-to-state and international rates, connection fees, service or maintenance fees, when the card expires and if there are any other restrictions or limitations on its use. This especially applies to first-time buyers as well as brands that one has not encountered before. In many cases, this set of information will be on the card wrapper or on a poster in the store. If one could not obtain answers, call the customer service number and ask. If the service representative could neither answer all the questions fully, keep shopping until a prepaid phone card company that can is found.

One way to test an unfamiliar prepaid phone card or company is to buy a small denomination card and see how it works. Never accept a card on which the scratch-off covering on the Personal Identification Number (PIN) has already been removed or that does not provide the terms and conditions of the card.

Most cards offer taped instructions in languages besides English. Hence, before buying a prepaid phone card, make sure that it has the required language.

Most prepaid phone cards are disposable, which can be thrown away if all used up. Yet another type, which is also quite popular these days, is often sold on the Internet or by mail. This type of card is rechargeable by calling the company and paying for more additional minutes.

Many prepaid phone cards are also advertised in newspapers and magazines. One can order these cards over the phone and pay with a credit or debit card. The order can also be sent through mail and pay with a check or money order. Many prepaid phone cards are sold on the Internet, the mode of payment for which also being a credit or a debit card. All mail order, phone and Internet sales are subject to shipping and handling charges of up to $10 per order. It is crucial to ask for the terms and conditions from such retailers, because a consumer’s use of the card will normally be governed by these.

Some companies sell “virtual” prepaid phone cards on the Internet to customers who have e-mail addresses. After the order has been processed, one receives an e-mail containing a toll-free access number and PIN that one can use to place calls. Virtual cards don't have shipping and handling charges, but may include a processing fee.

The proliferation of various prepaid phone card providers in the market these days has been triggered by low start-up costs. In a significant number of cases, companies have taken customers’ money and left them with worthless cards. There also have been other reported forms of unlawful or deceptive sales practices involving prepaid phone cards. Some card providers fail to tell consumers about fees, surcharges and other costs, or hide them in small, hard-to-read print. About 10 states have ratified laws that require the full disclosure of prepaid phone card costs. In all states, deceptive and unfair trade practices are against the law, even if no specific rules cover prepaid phone card packaging.