Global Tel*Link is a phone company which has a contract with TN state prisons to provide phone service for inmates to contact people on the outside. Some local phone companies will include the charges on the monthly phone bill; however, my local phone company provider does not, so I have to make other arrangements.
I called a 1-877 number which is totally automated (no humans) and was given the option to prepay for service. They state that there will be a service charge, but they do not state what the charge will be. One had the option to prepay $25 or $50. I selected $25. At the end of the call I received an message with the balance. It was $20, so they had a $5 service charge for an entirely automated service. One should be told upfront what the service fees will be.
Somehow my parents were able to contact them and have an arrangement to receive a statement instead of prepay. I viewed the recent statement and there was a credit on the account which they were going to pay because they did not realize that it was a credit.
After reviewing the statement, I noticed that the current charges were $2.80 for a call. 08 for Federal Taxes, $2.77 for State and Local Taxes. It was obvious that the State and Local Tax amount was incorrect since it was almost as much as the original charge. Whenever I contacted the company I spoke with 2 very rude ladies, was placed on hold, and then disconnected. I called again and noone will return the call.
I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I believe that they are charging tax for the credit on the account and not the current charges. If this happened on my parents statement, it has probably occured on other person's statements as well.
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