My billing complaint about Prodigy ISP mirrors the majority of those written here on this and other web sites: it assumed my Flashnet account, replied to none of the mail sent to it, refused to close my account after repeated requests to do so, continued to bill me for services that I neither requested nor used then turned the overdue account receivables over to Dun and Bradstreet to negotiate. Therefore, I shall not bore readers with the details because most already know about them from their own experiences. Therefore, the remainder of this is an open letter to those of you who have experienced the unethical billing practices this company uses that are the cause of your grief.
First, accolades to those of you who posted your stories; your posts let other victims know they are not alone. However, don't stop here. You have rights! Defend them! There are government agencies funded by your tax dollars that can help in situations such as yours.in most cases, you can file complaints either on line or by US mail. It's painless and nearly as easy as posting to web sites such as this one. Below you will find the tools to level this playing field more toward your favor.
First stop: The Better Business Bureau. I suggest the one in Austin, TX.
Http://dell. Hurdmanivr.com/austin/index.html [link to BBB main page]
Http://dell. Hurdmanivr.com/austin/commonreport.html? Compid=98090367 [Prodigy report link.]
You can file a complaint online or by mail.
Snail mail address is:
Serving Central Texas
2101 S IH 35 Suite 302
Austin, TX 78741-3854
This BBB office is closest to one of Prodigy's main offices. While visiting this site, do check out the report on file about Prodigy Internet, paying special attention to the bureau's rating and what is under the heading "Government Action." It's about their billing practices and most of you will find this report very interesting reading.
Next stop: Your state attorney generals office.in Texas go to:
Http://www.oag. State. Tx.Us/consumer/complain.htm
Here you can file a complaint either on line or by US mail. These folks investigate companies for breaking state laws and for violating consumer protection laws. Here you can read more about your rights and what to do when a company tramples on them.
Next stop: The Federal Trade Commission.
This is the three-hundred-pound gorilla with a big stick. Remember the section of the BBB report labeled "Government Action" this is the agency we want involved. You can reach its office of consumer protection using this link:
Http://www.ftc. Gov/ftc/consumer.htm
Http://www.ftc. Gov/ftc/consumer.htm
Go to the bottom of its opening page to complaint form. You can fill it out on line or send snail mail to:
Federal Trade Commission
CRC-240
Washington, D.C. 20580
You can read more about your rights and how to protect them on this site.
Http://www.lectlaw.com/tcos.html
Now when Dun and Bradstreet comes-a-calling with that debt collection notice visit this site:
Http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/
Understand when you get the notice from Dun and Bradstreet it's a legal document alleging you owe money. If you don't respond to it by mail within 30 days of receipt, by default you acknowledge the debt as valid. The above site has a sample letter you can download and clean up according to your circumstance to send disputing what D&B says you owe. This site also gives explicit instructions about how to do this for your protection.in sum: Print three letters: one for you, two for D&B. Address two envelopes, put a letter in each one and take to the post office. Mail one by certified, return receipt requested and the other via first class and get a certificate of mailing and a delivery confirmation for it. Keep all receipts in a safe place. This is for your protection and you can read more about it on this fine web site.
When emailing Prodigy, KEEP THOSE AUTORESPONDER RECEIPTS!!! If you get no reply from its customer service, those receipts prove Prodigy got what you sent. Keep meticulous tracks and records... They are very difficult to refute and go a long way if you have to take drastic action to prove your case.
Injustices are ended when folks collectively do something about them. If we expose what this company is doing and get the right people and agencies involved, something will be done to end this company's unethical and abusive billing practices.
Regards,
RM.
Also, before you think about using the BBB
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