I had a previous account with Correctional Billing Services for about a year and a half. I had a $460 spending limit. I paid my bill through my regular telephone provider, AT&T. I did not have any issues with my old telephone number.
At the end of July of this year I bought my first home. I shut off my old telephone at the apartment I was renting. I looked into getting Comcast, but decided against it for various reasons and ended up going back to AT&T in August.
I was issued a new telephone number and contacted Correctional Billing Services to set up a new account for the new number. I had to verify who I was because the person who had my telephone number previously also had an account with them. While I advised them of my previous telephone number and account with them, they only issued me a spending limit of $60.
My loved one and I now speak to each other every other week for thirty minutes (two fifteen minute calls). Each of these fifteen minute calls is $8.40 and if he is in county, as he was at the end of September, a twenty minute call is $21.75. I am aware the prices are due to the prison/jail contracts, but the cost is not what I am disputing (not due to CBS and that is a totally separate issue). I did not hear from him this past week, but I did not think anything of it as someone in his unit was murdered and the prison had been on lock-down, so I thought it was due to that. Yesterday I received a postcard from him stating he tried to call me, but my number is blocked.
I immediately called CBS and they told me I went over my spending limit by a little over $8.00. I asked them why my spending limit was $60. They told me it was based on credit. I advised them of my credit score and they then said well, it's a new phone number.
I looked on-line at my charges through the CBS web site and it shows I still owe a balance for two calls from County made at the end of September. These charges appeared on my AT&T bill that was generated at the latter part of last month and I paid that bill on Nov. 1.in reality, I only owe them for the three $8.40 calls that show on my bill generated on November 19th, which are due next month. Given this new information, I called CBS back and they gave me the runaround, but when I told them I went on-line, etc., they said that they say 90 days because it takes the telephone company 30 days to send them the money I sent them. (And this is my problem, how?) They sugguested I set up a pre-paid account with them and I declined as the Internet is littered with people who have been messed over with these pre-paid accounts (dropped calls, double billing, etc.) and if I have it billed through my phone company so at least there is more accountability. I should not be discriminated against because I choose to be billed through my phone bill and my spending limit is absolutely ridiculous and without merit.
The majority of questions I asked when I called CBS they either couldn't or weren't willing to answer. One rep tried to put off the low spending limit on my telephone company. However, when I asked the second rep she stated that wasn't exactly true. I was unable to call my telephone company due to the weekend (It was after 5PM on Saturday), so I will have to contact them tomorrow.
If I am unable to resolve this issue and I am not able to speak with my loved one during the holidays, I would be very interested in joining a class action lawsuit against this company. I don't want anyone else to have to go through this, especially right at the holidays. I am the only person my loved one has left. It is hard enough loving someone in prison without issues such as this. During the holidays there are a lot of people inside who don't have anyone on the outside and they act out and hurt others. That is what is happening right now in Arizona.
I am faxing a letter to CBS and AT&T outlining my complaints if I cannot get these isues resolved, as well as sending a certified letter to their PO Box addresses. I am also requesting the specific reasons as to why I only have a $60 spending limit. I want this information in writing. If I still cannot get a resolution I'm going to seek out other agencies and organizations who will take up my issue.
Thanks for allowing me to post this. To all of you who have gone through similar things, my heart goes out to you.
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