I recieved a bill from Talk America and never knew of them prior to the bill arriving. The bill was for $24.25. There was one phone call listed for 4 minutes for 40 cents to Silverspring MA.
I do not have a long distance carrier so I called Verizon, my local company to ask about getting a bill from a long distance Co. They said my account has not changed and that they don't have a contract with Talk America.
When I use long distance I use the 1016868 access which comes up as Hold Billing on my Verizon Bill. They charge 8 cents per minute and a few minimal fees and taxes. Verizon has a contract with them.
I then called Talk America. When I explained the situation she right away said that someone dialed 1016060 which she said the 0 is right below the 8 on the key pad. I had never heard of a 1016060 access before this and the Co. Appears to be very aware of the potential for this misdial to result in revenue for them.
I asked her to cancel the bill as I was uniformed and the charges are excessive. I told her I wasn't paying the bill. She said she would mark the bill as such, but wouldn't cancel it.
I contacted PA Public Utility Commission who refered me to the FCC. I have filed a report to the FCC. But haven't heard back yet.
I don't mind paying for the 4 minute phone call which was 40 cents, but the $24.25 for a one time 4 minute call to the next state is diffenately a very desceptive ripoff. The main part of the charges are titled Inter-lata Direct Dial fee $9.95 and TSR Administrative fee $9.95.
The bill itself makes it look like I have a regular account with them and that this is a bill for a whole month, but I don't have and don't want a long distance carrier. I never requested one and was unaware of this Co. Prior to the bill arriving.
A one time misdial by my daughter seems to have somehow signed us onto a long distance Co. There should be some kind of protection against this. My daughter who is a college student can ill afford to pay $24.25 for one 4 minute phone call.
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