On October 20, I used my Bell Canada Calling Card to make two calls, both from the same pay phone in Las Vegas. The calls were to Toronto, Canada. Bell Canadas number is 1-800-555-1111. NCICs number is 1-800-555-5111. Note how these two numbers are very similar.
I must have dialed the NCIC number for one of those calls since they billed me. (The charge is automatically added to my Bell Canada bill so I must pay it). When dialing NCIC, the recording is Welcome to Canada. NCIC doesnt announce their company name. Had they done so, I would have known I misdialed and would have hung up. When dialing Bell Canada, a recorded message announces Bell Canada. I was aware of this difference only after recent investigation.
The NCIC call was for 2 minutes and cost $13.27. The other call, correctly dialed to Bell Canada was for 3 minutes and cost $2.89 less a $1.13 discount for a net charge of $1.76.
I believe NCIC intentionally uses that number since its similar to Bells and they hope to bring in cash from those who misdial. I also think NCIC intentionally doesnt identify themselves in the recorded message for the same reason. It goes without saying that their rates are exorbitant. Compare the two charges stated above.
I called NCIC yesterday, explained my problem and asked for a full refund. They offered me a credit of $6.00, saying it was my fault for dialing the wrong number. This was unacceptable to me and I declined. The $13 wont break me but its the principle of the whole thing that's annoying.
What is wrong with the FCC and CRTC that they allow this company to operate in this manner?
Clark
Scarborough, Ontario
Canada
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