My telephone service was disconnected because I did not pay my bill by the cutoff date. My automobile was inoperable and I did not have transportation to get to the phone company to pay my bill. I called to pay over the phone by using my credit card, but they do not accept payments like that. I went online to pay, but I did not have my account number and when I called them to get my account they quoted FCC regulations not allowing them to give me the information. I consider this a "misquote" because when I had service with AT&T I could get most information from them by providing answers to certain security questions. I just feel that this 'Mom & Pop' business is trying to get extra money any way that they can!
About 4 days after the cutoff date my car was repaired and I was able to get to the phone company to pay my bill—a measly $53.00 approximately. I had the $53.00 plus extra money which I expected to pay as reconnection charges. I was in for a big surprise! They wanted me to pay the $53.00 plus the next month bill plus a $22.00 charge. I asked when the service would be restored once I paid all those amounts. I was told that they would need to run my credit again and depending on the results I might have to pay more money. At that point I told them to completely disconnect my services and I paid a portion of the bill and left the premises. I continued to pay on my bill until all but the $22.00 was paid. I disputed those charges through the Kentucky Public Service Commission without a settlement and through the FCC. FCC responded that they did not get involved with such matters.
I just want anyone who might move to this area and might use Brandenburg Telephone Company for service that this could happen to you if you are on vacation, hospitalized or whatever and forget to pay your bill on time. This was the first time my service was disconnected. Also Brandenburg Telephone Company is the only provider for telephone service in the area that I am aware. I now have Vonage and I could not get a local number because Brandenburg Telephone Company has got all the numbers. My phone has the local area code: 270, but the phone number prefix is someplace else in Kentucky.
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