Abstract: A telephone access system utilizes a calling card that is encoded with a machine readable code for both an access telephone number and a personal identification number. A reader/dialer is used to read the data encoded on the calling card and to generate dialing tones corresponding thereto. Once the data encoded on the calling card has been entered into the reader/dialer, the calling card may be stored in a secured location. To access the calling account, the reader/dialer is held to the mouthpiece of a standard telephone set and is actuated to emit the tones corresponding to the access telephone number. Subsequently, tones corresponding to the personal identification number are emitted under automatic or manual control. Once the account has been verified, the caller proceeds to enter a desired destination telephone number or conduct a telephonic transaction.