Gone! Gone! Gone! Like milk deliveries. Or, being able to request the telephone repairman who knew you and your family.

Fortunately, several relatively new companies have come up with solutions for finding the right person. Doing so is important, not only because it reduces stress and anger but also because it is key when it comes to protecting your money, handling financial scams, reducing interest rate charges, eliminating inaccurate fees and penalties and finding lost documents.

                                LucyPhone

Begin with www.LucyPhone.com. It has an easy four-step process.

Step One. On the website search by company name or type in any toll-free number.

Step Two. When you find the company you want to talk to, enter your telephone number and click on "start."

Step Three. Lucy will then contact the company and call you with the options available for reaching a company representative.

Step Four. Once you select your option of choice, Lucy will set up the call between you and the company.

You'll love Lucy!

                                GetHuman

At http://GetHuman.com  you'll find a list of company phone numbers with information about the buttons to press in order to be connected with a person. For example, you may be told to ignore the automated message and press 0, or you may be told what extension to dial.

As we went to press, the most commonly requested companies at GetHuman were: AT&T, Bank of America, Delta Airlines, Facebook, Verizon and United Airlines.

Be sure to read GetHuman's special "Shortcuts & Tips" section for excellent practical advice.

                                Dial-a-Human

At www.DialAHuman.com  the main list is an alphabetical one of companies. However, you can also search by category, which ranges from automotive and credit card issuers to travel (hotels, airlines) and utilities.

The site encourages people to send in a new number.

Note: All three services are free

- Nancy Dunnan