Coronavirus (COVID-19)

September 23, 2020 Noon

FTC WILL REOPEN WESMARK STORE ON SATURDAYS STARTING OCTOBER 3, 2o2o

Starting October 3, 2020 FTC will be serving customers in the Wesmark store in Sumter on Saturdays from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. All stores continue to operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday to help customers with their telecommunications needs.

June 3, 2020 2:45 pm

Starting July 1, FTC will be resuming normal business practices regarding suspension of service due to non-payment, reconnect fees, and late fees being applied. We urge you to make your FTC payment so your account stays in good standing and will not be subject to termination. If you are unable to pay your bill due to economic conditions related to the coronavirus, please contact FTC Customer Service at 888-218-5050 to discuss your situation and set up a payment plan if necessary.

April 17, 2020 2:00 pm

THANKS AND STAY SAFE OUT THERE! 

At FTC, we recognize that first responders and front-line medical staff play a vital role in keeping our communities safe all the time, not just during a crisis. And because they take care of us, we want to take care of them. FTC Wireless offers those valued individuals a discount of up to 25 percent on the best wireless plans.

If you are a part of this important group, we would welcome the opportunity to help you stay in touch with all of the people who are important to you. Not only in your daily routines but also during those times when you are needed the most! To take advantage of this exclusive offer, please contact us at 888-218-5050. Thank you for the service you provide.

April 13, 2020 11:45 am

Understanding how important it is to be able to reach loved ones or be able to communicate with work or school during the COVID-19 pandemic, FTC has temporarily suspended any termination of service due to non-payment. In addition, late payment fees have not been assessed.

But it is important to understand that charges are still being levied and if payments are not being made, balances will continue to rise.

In order to keep those balances current or at least at controllable levels, we urge customers to continue making their FTC payments. We do not want any customers to face balances that are insurmountable and could lead to their service being terminated once we resume regular business practices for past due accounts.

Bill Payment Options Without Having to Enter a Store Location

We would like to remind our customers of the multiple options available to pay their bills without having to enter one of our store locations:

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing the “1” button when prompted
  • Access your account online at ftc.net
  • Using payment drop depositories available at each FTC store with the exception being our Johnsonville location
  • Drive-through service available at the following locations:

Bishopville | 104 E. Church St.
Kingstree | 1101 E. Main St.
Lake City | 235 N. Ron McNair Blvd.
Manning | 2389 Paxville Hwy.
Sumter-Shaw | 1280 Peach Orchard Rd.
Sumter | 631 North Pike West

Reminders on Ways to Reach Customer Service

During this time, we also encourage all of our customers to monitor their balances by contacting our Customer Service Department. Below are the multiple options available to get information from our Customer Service Department without having to enter one of our store locations:

  • Reach a Customer Service Representative Mondays – Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. by calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “4” when prompted
  • Visiting our website, ftc.net, and beginning a chat session by clicking on the bottom right of the screen
  • Texting 843-FTC-TEXT (843-382-8398)
  • Emailing contact@ftc.net

We are utilizing some of our Store CSRs to assist in the Contact Center with call-ins.

April 2, 2020 8:15 am

FTC CLOSING WESMARK STORE ON SATURDAYS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS 

In another step to help fight the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), FTC has decided to cease its Saturday store hours at Wesmark Boulevard in Sumter. All stores continue to operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday to help customers with their telecommunications needs.

We would also like to remind our customers of the multiple options available to get information from our Customer Service Department and make payments without having to enter one of our store locations:

Reach a Customer Service Representative Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “4” when prompted
  • Visiting our website, ftc.net, and beginning a chat session by clicking on the bottom right of the screen
  • Texting 843-FTC-TEXT (843-382-8398)
  • Emailing contact@ftc.net
  • We are utilizing some of our Store CSRs to assist in the Contact Center with call-ins.

Bill payment options without having to enter a store location.

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing the “1” button when prompted
  • Access your account online at ftc.net
  • Using payment drop depositories available at each FTC store with the exception being our Johnsonville location
  • Drive-through service available at the following locations:

Bishopville | 104 E. Church St.
Kingstree | 1101 E. Main St.
Lake City | 235 N. Ron McNair Blvd.
Manning | 2389 Paxville Hwy.
Sumter-Shaw | 1280 Peach Orchard Rd.
Sumter | 631 North Pike West

March 31, 2020 10:00 am

BILL PAYMENT OPTIONS WITHOUT HAVING TO ENTER A STORE LOCATION 

We would like to remind our customers of the multiple options available to pay their bills without having to enter one of our store locations:

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing the “1” button when prompted
  • Access your account online at ftc.net
  • Using payment drop depositories available at each FTC store with the exception being our Johnsonville location

Drive-through service available at the following locations:

Bishopville | 104 E. Church St.
Kingstree | 1101 E. Main St.
Lake City | 235 N. Ron McNair Blvd.
Manning | 2389 Paxville Hwy.
Sumter-Shaw | 1280 Peach Orchard Rd.

REMINDER ON WAYS TO REACH CUSTOMER SERVICE 

We would like to remind our customers of the multiple options available to get information from our Customer Service Department without having to enter one of our store locations:

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. by calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “4” when prompted.

𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞, ftc.net, and beginning a chat session by clicking on the bottom right of the screen.

𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟖𝟒𝟑-𝐅𝐓𝐂-𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐓 (843-382-8398)

𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭@𝐟𝐭𝐜.𝐧𝐞𝐭

We are utilizing some of our Store CSRs to assist in the Contact Center with call-ins.

March 25, 2020 10:00 am

MISSING YOUR TRIPS TO THE MOVIE THEATER TO SEE THE NEWEST RELEASES?

FTC Digital TV has just what you need. The newest addition to the service is a Video On Demand feature called “In Theaters Now,”  which offers movies released simultaneously with theaters. To get to “In Theaters Now,”  go to movies category from the main screen, scroll down to “In Theaters Now” category, click on “View More” window and look for your movie. The most recent releases will cost about the same as a ticket, a drink and popcorn: $20.

March 24, 2020 3:30 pm

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

Scammers do not take vacations and when people are the most vulnerable, that is often when scammers take advantage of the unsuspecting. So, while we are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, be on the lookout for those seeking your personal information in various forms.

Also, it is advisable to stay up to date with what the government might be doing in terms of financial support so you will know when and what to expect.

Below are things to be on the lookout for during the crisis:

  • Any caller asking for bank accounts, passwords or Social Security numbers are not legitimate. Businesses or government agencies are not going to call and ask for that information.
  • If you receive an email from someone you do not know or someone you did not reach out to, be extra careful, especially with attachments. These can be used to steal your information or infect your device with a virus.
  • If you receive a text message from a number you do not recognize, be careful when responding. This could be another way to gain personal information or access your device.
  • If you receive mail from what appears to be a government agency offering relief, be careful when responding by phone or by going on any website. Scammers can set up automated answering devices to seem legitimate. The best course of action is searching online for a contact number. Also, legitimate websites will have a URL beginning with https://. The “s” at the end means it is secure. Those without an “s” are not secure.

March 23, 2020 5:10 pm

TIPS FOR CLEANING YOUR DEVICES

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬:

  • Power down the device.
  • Remove the case or cover and any accessories.
  • Wipe down with a lint-free dry cloth.
  • Dampen the corner of a cloth with an alcohol-based solution (more than 70 percent) or use disinfecting wipe to sanitize device.
  • Do not use excessive amounts of solution.
  • Avoid getting moisture in any openings.
  • Allow device to dry and reassemble case.

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤:

  • To reduce risk of contact, use hands-free options, such as bluetooth device in your vehicle, earbuds or speaker, when possible.
  • Do not leave device unattended or on surfaces where germs can be transmitted.
  • Do not share devices without disinfecting.

March 23, 2020 9:45 am

FTC STORES REMAIN OPEN TO HELP CUSTOMERS

The lobbies of our 7 FTC Store locations remain open at this time.  During this time of crisis, we strongly encourage our customers to utilize the multiple options available for getting information from our Customer Service Department, making a repair request or paying bills without having to enter one of our retail locations:

Reach a Customer Service Representative Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “4” when prompted
  • Visiting our website, ftc.net, and beginning a chat session by clicking on the bottom right of the screen
  • Texting 843-FTC-TEXT (843-382-8398)
  • Emailing contact@ftc.net
  • We are utilizing some of our Store CSRs to assist in the Contact Center with call-ins.

Report a repair request 24 hours a day, seven days a week

  • By calling 611 from any FTC phone or by calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “3” when prompted
  • Those who pay their account online may report a repair request through the FTC website at ftc.net.

Bill pay options 24 hours a day, seven days a week

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing the “1” button when prompted
  • Access your account online at ftc.net
  • Using payment drop depositories available at each FTC store with the exception being our Johnsonville location.

March 20, 2020 6:45 pm

MEASURES WE ARE TAKING WHEN OUR TECHNICIANS ENTER HOMES

At FTC, we understand that our services play a vital role in your day-to-day routines. We also understand that you are probably relying on them even more heavily right now because of the corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic. You are counting on us to stay in touch with friends and family, for your students to do online education and for some of you to work remotely. We take our responsibilities to you seriously and are continuing to make measured responses as health concerns escalate.

Among our precautions are efforts to conduct any installation or repair remotely in order to reduce any risk to you, your family or our employees. If an FTC technician or contractor needs to enter your home or business to complete the task, please understand that several safety measures have been taken, including:

  • Calling ahead to any home or business scheduled for a repair or installation to confirm that the customer wants to proceed with the appointment and understands that a technician might need to enter.
  • Disinfecting vehicles and tools used by FTC technicians by wiping them down between visits to homes and businesses.
  • Asking customers two primary questions related to the coronavirus before entering a home or business: 1) Has anyone at the location been quarantined or been exposed to anyone who has been quarantined for exposure to the coronavirus? 2) Is anyone at the location exhibiting any of the following: flu-like symptoms, fever, persistent cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or runny nose? If the answer is yes to either of the questions, the appointment will be re-scheduled to prevent the spread of any disease.

Also, if you need to report a repair, you can do so 24 hours a day, seven days a week without having to enter one of our stores. The methods to do so are below:

  • By calling 611 from any FTC phone or by calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “3” when prompted;
  • Those who pay their account online may report a repair request through the FTC website at ftc.net.

If you have any questions, please call 888-218-5050.

March 19, 2020 11:20 am

REMINDER ON HOW TO REACH US

We would like to remind our customers of the multiple options available to get information from our Customer Service Department, to report a repair request or to pay bills without having to enter one of our stores:

Reach a Customer Service Representative Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “4” when prompted
  • Visiting our website, ftc.net, and beginning a chat session by clicking on the bottom right of the screen
  • Texting 843-FTC-TEXT (843-382-8398)
  • Emailing contact@ftc.net
  • We are utilizing some of our Store CSRs to assist in the Contact Center with call-ins.

Report a repair request 24 hours a day, seven days a week

  • By calling 611 from any FTC phone or by calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “3” when prompted
  • Those who pay their account online may report a repair request through the FTC website at ftc.net.

Bill pay options 24 hours a day, seven days a week

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing the “1” button when prompted
  • Access your account online at ftc.net
  • Using payment drop depositories available at each FTC store with the exception being our Johnsonville location.

We will continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and provide more updates as they become necessary. Thank you for allowing us to be your communications provider of choice.

March 18, 2020 5:45 pm

ATTENTION RESTAURATEUR

With the governor’s moratorium on dine-in services, your voice line is certain to be among your major methods to take orders. To assist in managing the increased call volume, a couple of options are to add additional voice lines or utilize Multi-Line Hunt Queuing. Multi-Line Hunt Queuing ($7 per month) is available to customers who have a hunt group established.

This feature allows for incoming calls to be placed in a queue when all lines are busy within the hunt group. Callers are then connected to the first available line based on their position in the queue. If you are interested in adding additional lines or the feature Multi-Line Hunt Queuing, please

Contact FTC at 888-218-5050.

March 18, 2020 1:25 pm

ATTENTION PARENTS

With school cancellations and the possibility of you having to work from home, you might find yourself needing a faster internet plan due to more devices being in use throughout the day.

Between students working on assignments, conducting research to complete course work, or taking an occasional break for streaming music, playing games online, or watching videos, you may experience bandwidth constraints. In order to evaluate your bandwidth needs and ensure you are on the right plan, FTC has a tool called the speed calculator, which will assist in assessing the bandwidth requirement in your home.

To utilize this free tool, click here and spend a few minutes answering the questions. If you determine that a speed upgrade is needed in your plan, call FTC Customer Service at 888-218-5050.

March 17, 2020 9:15 am

FTC WILL OFFER FREE INTERNET ACCESS TO NEW CUSTOMERS IN HOME WITH K-12 AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.

Schools across South Carolina have closed during this time of uncertainty due to the continuing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). During the closure, many schools will rely on online learning opportunities. With our community’s schools and students in mind, FTC is offering 60 days of free internet service and free installation to any home within FTC’s service area that meets the following criteria:

  • The home is the primary residence of a student in kindergarten through high school, technical school, college or in graduate school;
  • The residence is that of a new customer who has not been an internet customer with FTC for the past 90 days;
  • Home is located in FTC’s service area.

FTC is making it easier to utilize the program by taking orders over the phone at 888-218-5050 and waiving the normal security deposit process. The service does not have data caps or hidden fees.  FTC plans to make the internet offer available to new customers through March 31, and the program will be re-evaluated at that time.

FTC is committed to helping customers impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) by also not suspending their services due to non-payment. The Cooperative understands its services are vital to staying connected to work, school, loved ones, and to receiving updates related to the virus. Those who are unable to pay their bill due to economic conditions related to the coronavirus are asked to call 888-218-5050 to discuss their situation and set up a payment plan if necessary.

March 16, 2020 Noon

The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has forced officials to take drastic measures to mitigate the spread of the illness. Numerous events and gatherings have been cancelled or postponed in the name of public health. 

At FTC, our front-line employees interact with the public daily and healthy environments and sanitary processes have always been the FTC company standard.  We will continue to focus on the cleaning and sanitation of our stores as part of our normal business operations. 

Also, we would like to remind our customers of the multiple options available for getting information from our Customer Service Department, for making a repair request or for paying bills without having to enter one of our seven stores:

Reach a Customer Service Representative Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “4” when prompted
  • Visiting our website, ftc.net, and beginning a chat session by clicking on the bottom right of the screen
  • Texting 843-FTC-TEXT (843-382-8398)
  • Emailing contact@ftc.net
  • We anticipate an increase in call volume so we ask for your continued patience.

Report a repair request 24 hours a day, seven days a week

  • By calling 611 from any FTC phone or by calling 888-218-5050 and pressing “3” when prompted
  • Those who pay their account online may report a repair request through the FTC website at ftc.net.

Bill pay options 24 hours a day, seven days a week

  • By calling 888-218-5050 and pressing the “1” button when prompted
  • Access your account online at ftc.net
  • Using payment drop depositories available at each FTC store with the exception being our Johnsonville location.

We will continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and provide more updates as they become necessary.  Thank you for allowing us to be your communications provider of choice.