Filled out a "free online survey" which asked for name, address, home telephone number, and birthday. Using only this information, Members Edge was able to start adding a $15.40 per month charge to my SBC phone bill without my knowledge or permission. I didn't even notice the charge for several months.
It is billed by "IntegreTel", and I thought it was part of my DSL package. When I finally got around to asking SBC to explain the charge, they didn't know anything about it. SBC advised me to call InegreTel, who then transferred me to Members Edge.
According to the Member's Edge customer service representative, the service consists of an email account, but I can't be sure because I have never used it. I already have 11 email accounts through SBC, plus I have Yahoo Mail and Google Mail, so there is no reason I would agree to pay an extra $15 per month for something that I already have an abundance of.
I asked Members Edge to discontinue the service and credit my account. They said they couldn't credit my account for past charges, but would be happy to discontinue the "service".
The following month, the charge from IntegreTel again appeared on my SBC phone bill. I contacted IntegreTel, and was again mechanically transferred to Members Edge. I explained that I had cancelled the service a month before.
The Members Edge customer service rep told me that I had not cancelled the service, and that I would need to provide PROOF that I had actually cancelled the service. I then asked Members Edge to provide proof that I had signed up for the service in the first place. Tammy said that I must have completed an online survey, because "Members Edge doesn't keep customer signatures."
When I noted that there is a difference between completing an online survey and authorizing a monthly charge to my phone bill, the Member's Edge customer service rep ("Tammy") became suddenly and inexplicably enraged, accused me of insulting her, and then hung up on me. I tried to call back, but for some reason no one is answering the phone.
I was willing to walk away and take my lumps, but at this point, I have no proof that I signed up for "the service", nor do I have proof that it has been discontinued. I'm not a high roller, but I do have a few friends in the legal profession, and these people need to be put out of business.
I'll be working with SBC in Texas to try and make life difficult for Members Edge, but if you have been hit by these people, please do something about it.
There has already been a successful class action judgment againt them in Iowa, and there are cases pending in Florida. If you've been taken by these people, please contact you local telephone provider and see if there are any class action suits in your area.
They are making too much money to go away by themselves.
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