You need help with a service or product, so you call the customer service phone number provided by the company in question. Most of the time, the phone number doesn’t lead directly to a customer service representative, but to an Interactive Voice Recognition System or IVR. Instead of speaking to a person, you end up pushing buttons and being transferred from one list of options to another.

Everyone knows the frustration of being caught in the maze of an IVR. Companies install these systems to save themselves time and money, but in the end the consumer is the one who pays. A simple question can turn into a long wait on the phone and many times these systems never do connect you to a real person.

Next time you find yourself trapped in an IVR system don't pound your head against the wall, instead turn to the IVR Cheat Sheet compiled by Paul English. In the past a cheat sheet could get you expelled from school, but this cheat sheet could end up saving you from hours of frustrations.

On his website's homepage, he provides a detailed list of phone numbers for companies from American Express to Wells Fargo, as well as the secret “codes” that will let you by pass the IVR and reach a real, live customer service representative.

His information page also includes basic information about IVR systems along with advice about how to beat the system and the most common cheats.

The main page contains the by pass codes which have been verified. If you're adventurous or maybe just desperate, you can always refer to his page of unverified numbers.