I opened my Verizon phone bill and noticed that it seemed higher than usual. Being a thrifty accountant and finance double major, I examined the bill only to find out that there were 'other providers' charges on it. After looking at the bill further, I discover a $9.95 charge from someplace called 'IntegreTel' on behalf of 'MyTeleBill'. I called the 800 number provided to find out what the charges were for. I was asked to enter phone # the question was about and I immediately got a voice message saying the charging company (MyTeleBill) had their own customer service # to deal with issues and I was automatically transferred. After about 2 mins or so, I was told all customer service representatives were busy and to leave a message and they would "promptly" (Yeah Right!) return my call. So I did but obviously never got a call back and nothing ever became of the billing inquiry form I submitted through www.intergetel.com. I then checked out www.mytelebill.com and it had another number on there that kicks you straight to voicemail as well or gives you the 1-866-493-0486 phone # for a billing question, leading you in a circle. If you supposedly sign up for something online the company HAS to be able to provide you the following: the date of the transaction and the IP address used to sign up. So if they can not provide neither then you know it is total Bull! If you sign up for something over the internet, one of the first things a reputable company does is record your IP to show that you were indeed there. Make sure you call your phone company about the charges and ask that your phone bill block 3rd party billers from including their charges on your normal monthly phone bill, so they have to bill you separately and not just "piggy-back" on your monthly phone bill. I recommend doing this no matter if this has happened to you or not!
So, my advice to any consumers out there reading this is as soon as you see the name 'IntegreTel' or 'mytelebill' on you phone bill, red flags should go up. Make sure to contact your local phone company as well as IntegreTel itself and get any current and future charges cancelled or blocked! You may even want to go so far as contacting your local District Attorney's office or your state's Attorney General (which I did file a complaint with the PA Attorney General) and see what can be done about getting this con game stopped.
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