The Observation Deck

This was at work today - I decided to really scrutinize my AT&T bill and I was stunned. Actually I was very embarrassed that I hadn't done this every month - but I will from now on.

FIVE companies that I hadn't authorized had talked AT&T to adding their services to our monthly bill. In talking to my AT&T rep. he indicated that one was being added about every month. They were in small increments the largest was $31., but most were int he $6.00 -= $7.00 range.

AT&T adds them I guess automatically based on the companies say so - but you have to contact each company individually and demand to be taken off the bill and then you can try to get a refund.

I am furious that AT&T is working with these con artists. Unfortunately we didn't demand that AT&T stop this practice before allowing them to put their big boxes on our lawns.

Anyway, I wrote this to tell you to look at your AT&T bill - it may be more for businesses than for homes - but I plan to review my home bill tonight.

Lynn - back in January I started a thread about Value Link. This is just one company that is piggybacking on to the SBC/ATT phone bills. According to ATT and the Ohio Attorney Genl's office, this is a perfectly legal transaction and it is our responsibility to look carefully at each bill. It is also our responsibililty to take hours of our time to call, write, track and follow up on each unsolicited, fraudulent transaction....*sigh* ...... and it is our job to prove that we didn't order their services.

At the very least, if ATT was serious about helping to thawrt these thieves they would offer a simple solution to their customers. When you call ATT their phone tree should include: Press 1 to report and stop unsolicited service. On their website they could have a big red button to hit as a link to stop unsolicited services. Our problems are clearly not a priority.

Suzanne,

I do remember that you did. I really find it annoying that AT&T is adding these figures to your bill. The number of hoops that some of these companies make you jump through to get charges that you never authorzied off your bill is incredible. I felt like it took me half a day to get it straightened out - of course I won't know if I suceeded until the next months bill - and some said it will take at least 2 monthly billing cycles to clear this up.