I had to use SecurusTech to accept calls from a loved one who was incarcerated and transferred to a facility only about 25 miles from my home for a court date. I only needed this service for about a week, so I created an account by putting in $30 (they require a minimum of $25), plus paying the fee they charge every time you make a payment, of around $7.00. When I look at the calls on their website, they are each listed as 20 minutes. Every call I received was disconnected (by SecurusTech) at 10 minutes. Needless to say, my $30 was gone in 4 calls, and a month and a half later I get a message from them saying that payment is due on my PREPAID account. I log on and see that each call cost $8.10, so my "prepaid" account now has a balance due of $2.41. I figured I would just pay it and forget about it, when I remembered they charge a fee of around $7.00 for making a payment. This is a prepaid account; I should not be allowed to have a balance due. This is a very clever scam.
I also thought I should mention that the facility where my loved one is now incarcerated uses a program a little like this one, but they charge only a one-time fee per call of $2.75. SecurusTech charges this same amount for the first minute, then $0.25 for every minute after, even the ten minutes after they disconnect your call!
The other issue is that they show they have a live chat online, which doesn't work, and if you call with a billing question you are placed on eternal hold. In fact, I am on hold right now for exactly 35 minutes. Funny how you don't have to wait that long to make a payment or open an account. I feel sorry for the people who have to use Securus to accept calls from their loved ones. I would like to see people write letters to the administration of the facilities that use Securus and encourage them to switch to a better company, because they are out there. Having a loved one incarcerated is enough of a hardship on a family. Shame on Securus for being so greedy and taking advantage of these families. This is not the way to run a business. PS - still on hold. 41 minutes and counting.
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