Systems and methods for using a voice-messaging system to place local and long distance telephone calls. In the invention, a voice-messaging system receives a toll-free call placed by a user and verifies that the user is a valid user of the voice-messaging system by accepting a pass code. The voice-messaging system then accepts the user's request to place a telephone call and the number to be called. Finally, the system places a call to the third party and connects the telephone call to the third-party telephone line if the third-party telephone line is available.