In a telephone network for use in placing telephone calls to a destination number associated with a called party, the destination number having restricted access for collect telephone calls, a system for providing a message to the called party of a collect telephone call from a calling party, the system comprising:
- a messaging platform for use in recording a message from the calling party;
- and
- a controller in communication with the messaging platform, the controller for use in notifying the calling party of the restricted access of the destination number for collect telephone calls, such that collect calls to the destination number are blocked, providing the calling party with an option for recording a message for delivery to the called party, and, if the calling party accepts the option for recording a message, routing the collect telephone call to the messaging platform.