Some long distance companies charge a premium. Chris Olsen shows you how to make sure you get a competitive rate with a company you trust.

Brenda Lee Giles got a shock on her Telus bill a few months ago when three 30-minute collect calls from Cuba cost her almost $600.

The rates ranged from $5 to $9 a minute. She'd been expecting rates anywhere from 45 cents to 70 cents a minute.

Shawn Hall of Telus says in a lot of countries, especially when dialing from a hotel or a payphone, the phone carriers are going to charge outrageous rates,

"Six or seven dollars per minute is certainly not unheard of and you get home and see it on your credit card bill and it can be stunning," Hall said.

The Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services Howard Maker said even in Canada there is no limit to what long distance carriers can charge per minute or on fees.

"What we've also seen is not only a high per minute rates but various kinds of other fees such as connection fees and network fees. So the best thing you can do before making or receiving a call like that is just to ask and determine what you are getting into before you get into it," Maker said.

If you're a Telus customer, all this comes as a shock. So how do you make sure the rate you are charged is the one you are expecting?

Hall recommends getting a Telus calling card. If you don't have one you can order it on line.

Then before going on a trip get a Telus calling card pocket guide, which lists phone numbers to call in different countries to link you back to Telus and the Canada Direct system.

Anywhere in Canada or the U.S. the number is 1-800-646-0000. Beware -- if you are calling from a payphone or hotel your call may be diverted.

"If don't get a voice that says ‘Welcome to the Telus Network' then you are not on the Telus Network. So really listen carefully to what the operators are saying," Hall said.

Hall says if they ask you for your credit card number that is another sign you are not on the Telus Network and can't be certain what rate you'll be charged.

You can also face unexpected charges in Canada on pay phones because there are half a dozen different providers in B.C. alone

So know what the rates are before you dial.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen.