I am a person with disabilities and on low fixed income, age 57 close to being a senior citizen. Effective Feb my nearest Authorized Payment Location where I have paid my phone bill for last 17 years started charging a $1 transaction (processing) fee. This pharmacy has been the payment agent for the phone company in my community. The phone company removed an old CRT monitor with keyboard and modem which connected the pharmacy to the phone company system, replacing it with a modern data box utilizing Western Union.
When phone offices were closed (to cut labor and other costs) the CPUC utilities commission required that the phone company establish Authorized Payment Location (s) to replace the closed telephone office. Thus this pharmacy became our payment location years ago. The phone company benefited with higher profits due to less manpower and overhead of operating their telco public office.
There was never a charge imposed for the public to pay their phone bill by cash (or personal check) at this pharmacy. Now, since the equipment improvement by the phone company (I would guess so they get their money faster) that the transaction fee is being charged by Western Union.
Yes, companies have a right to improve equipment etc, but this fee should not be imposed. It causes harm to low or fixed income people, on welfare, on SSDI, on SSI, on pensions, to elderly persons or persons with disabilities.
The phone company (AT&T) apparently has a contract with Western Union for use of their system with this data device. The pharmacy (payment agent) claims they have no control. And the phone company would have a contract with the "agent."
CPUC utilities commission claims that CPUC has no jurisdiction on the matter of the transaction fee being imposed at the "Authorized Payment Location", but it was CPUC who required the phone company to establish these payment locations. The phone company IS a utility company. (PGE electric still has a local public office in town — they are good guys compared to the phone company).
I will soon be closing my checking account due to lack of need for it. But until I do such closure I prefer not to give my debit card or checking account to the phone company. NO COMPUTER system is totally and completely secure. Plus I prefer not to have automatic payments done and I prefer to pay by cash, in person, when I am in town.
AT&T said in a letter that "Effective May 1 that Authorized Payment Agents were allowed to charge a fee for processing"... Not to exceed $1. They did not say which law or governing agency authorized such harmful and discriminatory act. The CPUC disclaims having knowledge of such law or rule and says that FCC or other may have given such authorization.
Odd, but doesn't the CPUC control many aspects of the phone company. They required the APL's to be created.in the past (at least) they limit or control rates and increases for phone rates or power rate increases.
The phone company saves money and costs with having the APL's and no open public telco office. Their constantly increasing fees and rates should be covering things like improvements (including this data equipment at their APL's).
No harmful burden should be placed upon elderly, low income, or persons with disabilities. I get about 600/mo for my rent, utilities, phone, etc. I barely manage on that amount and this $1 fee is harmful. AT&T should amend their contract with Western Union and/or with their payment agents.
I refuse to pay the $1 fee, but it must be paid to the pharmacy for them to accept my payment, so I deduct the $1 from the amount being paid to AT&T, thus I am running a balance due each month, each month is $1 more unpaid. They should not harm me with any disconnect due to this practice as my phone is needed for medical need.
Potentially thousands of people are being harmed in California and possibly other states by this transaction fee. AT&T is the liable party and Western Union may also be liable. I would be a signing/named plaintiff in a class action against the corporation (s). CPUC utilities commission may also be liable and (ir-) responsible.
My website on my HIV/AIDS survival has an article on this issue at
Giving most all same details as above. Please do not plagiarize but links
may be made to the article.
I am awaiting for responses from Lynn Woolsey office on this matter, as well as from the FCC, the CEO of AT&T has not yet responded, and I have asked TURN.org for assistance. The CPUC has "brushed off" the matter. And Western Union had "attitude" and would not connect me to an executive.
Should low income people and persons with disabilities be harmed? Is not cash still our national currency? Thanks for listening.
Poorpersonharmed
Guerneville, California
U.S.A.
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