Tonight I called Social Security and found out that I needed additional facts before I could get the information requested.  The phone rep told me they are open until 7 PM Pacific time and that I could call back before then.  It was only through the bounty of being married and our phone from a different time zone that I was able to trick the phone system into providing customer service.

I compiled the requested info and called back at 7:20 PM Eastern Time (4:20 PM Pacific time) only to hear an automated message saying that the office is closed for the day.  What?!  While it was after 7 on the east coast it was not 7 PM yet on the west coast.

Not to be deterred, I tried to beat the system.  My wife Amanda has a phone number from Colorado so I dialed with her phone and got right into the phone system and through to a representative.  Apparently the office wasn’t closed if you live in Colorado but it is closed if you live in DC.

Next time you need to reach an office with a fancy automated system shielding you from real people, keep this trick in mind.