Abstract: The present invention provides a system that embodies an apparatus and method for enabling prepayment of telephone call charges in connection with a calling-card, the authorized called telephone number(s) being selectable by the cardholder so that the calling-card account can only be charged for telephone calls made to the cardholder authorized telephone number(s), the calling-card account capable of being continuously recharged from a linked credit account, bank account or the like, or charges may be incurred thereafter on a perunit-time basis.