I just realized that for the past five months my business telephone number (Verizon) has been charged $29.95 for something called an "upgrade to my internet service." When I inquired at Verizon, I was told that it was a 3rd party charge, and they had no idea what it was for. They gave me an 800 number to call, which got me to a company called ILD in San Antonio, Texas.
ILD told me that they are only a 3rd party billing service and they didn't know what the charge was for. They were very defensive and belligerent, but when I threatened them with a lawsuit, they finally gave me the name and address of the Internet Business Association, which I supposedly made an agreement with for "some type of internet service."
Calling them, I was told that I agreed to having a "mini-web site" created that would promote my business. When I told them I don't remember any such thing, and that I never received a bill, they played back a recording of my voice which said "yes" to a few questions about my business's address. I recall answering some sort of "survey" about web sites six months ago, but I never agreed to being billed for something I didn't need.
They got me for 5 months but finally agreed to credit me with $75... Or half. The person I talked to was very shrewd on the phone, and she sounded very used to dealing with irate people. This company is a sham, and I can't believe Verizon blindly accepts their bogus billing claims, and then does nothing to help. Also, it appears that ILD may trade under the name of ESBI, or "Enhanced Services Billing" because two of my Verizon phone bills had them listed as well.
That's it for me... No more answering surveys of any type.
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