From PatR...
Folks, this is a note to warn you about this company and others (3rd parties) putting unauthorized charges on your phone bill.
I got my bill yesterday and was shocked. There was $31.79 added to my bill which I did you do. It was added by a company called ZDPI.
It said to contact them if there was any question about the charges. Well, I thought about it and decided to do a search on the company first to find out who they were and what they were about. Good thing I did. Here is the link to the company:
http://classactionconnect.com/consumer-complaints/zero-plus-dialing-inc-zpdi-bsg-billing-services-group-telephone-complaints-unauthorized-phone-charges/
By the way.......they use other aliases as well.
Anyway, after reading some of the complaints about this company......shocking to say the least. I decided to call my phone company to complain. I did and after explaining what happend they checked my bill, took the charge off, and put what they call a 'crramming block' to stop that company or any other 3rd party from adding charges to my bill. Had I have contacted this ZDPI company, this is what may have happened.......(a couple of complaints out of many, from the link)
1. elaine says:
I called the company listed(ZPDI) and explained to the lady what I found and she told me the charges were from a cell phone in Del Ray Beach, Florida. I explained we did not know anyone there and she said too bad. I asked her who the phone was listed to and she told me they did not keep that kind of information on file. I told her I was Not going to pay the bill, as neither my husband nor I received any collect calls. I asked to speak to a supervisor and she simply put me on hold forever. I called again and started over and the new CS person must have been reading a script, as they said the exact same thing only this person was rude and refused to send me to a supervisor.
I called AT&T and explained to the lady the charge of over $1800.00 and was told she would take them off my bill. When I did not see a credit I called again and was told they would take it off. We had an AT&T account for over 15 years in one of our names, so we do pay our bill, when justified.
I then received another online bill, as I was waiting for the charges to be cleared, for an additional fee of over $5531.00— In 1 month from the same company. I called AT&T back and the lady explained the charges were for collect calls received from a land line phone in Del Ray Beach. I explained I did not know any one there and MY HUSBAND AND I HAD A COLLECT CALL BLOCK ON OUR PHONE FOR OVER 10 YEARS. She looked it up and saw the block and said she would take care of the charges.
I asked her how I could make sure AT&T did not allow this company to charge to my phone again and she said she would block further access to our account from this and ANY other company. I asked how I could be charged for collect calls when I had a block on my phone and she said it must not be fool proof. REALLY. I asked how I could find out who the phone was registered to and she could not tell me, other than Google it or call the number. I called and a younger black man answered and as soon as I said hello he hung up and never answered it for me again.
As I received the details of the supposed phone calls, I found, for example, on 11/4 six calls for exactly 31 minutes……really 31 minutes each time. From 11/1-11/11 40 phone calls for exactly 31 minutes were supposedly made. REALLY!!!!!!
I called AT&T again and was finally told it was a bill they charge as a courtesy to the other company and I should contact them. However the business I manage has a client who works for AT&T and she explained off the record they “partner” with this company and receive a “kickback” from ZPDI for any fees collected.
From the day the AT&T lady blocked my account from outside company charges I never received another charge. I went online and Googled the company and found multiple class action suits and state and Federal lawsuits in progress or settled including in Florida against this company and their company operating under other names. See enclosed report.
You would think ZPDI would train their people better. If they were going to make false charges, to vary the length called and not hang up and call practically right back and not to get too greedy. If they had charges $10.00-35.00 I probably would not have noticed it. Must have been a new guy….
We paid our AT&T bill each billing period, for the AT&T charges for phone and cell phone and cancelled our cell phone. AT&T disconnected us, after all the business we did with them. They still send us offers and deals in the mail. I would not do business with them again if they paid me!
2. Peter says:
After being charged $120 for a service from 123 Voicemail, I email BGS, left a complain on their site, emailed 123 Voicemail and then eventually called them. 123 Voicemail, tried at first to tell me that I had ordered the service, I pointed out that I did not have an authorised sales letter and they had no 3rd Party confirmation that I had actually ordered anything. They then offerred me a 2 month refund. I asked them would they like my lawyer to call them and also told them I would call a law enforement office as well, to report a crime. I also dropped Class Action into the conversation as well. At this point i was put on hold for about 10 seconds and the rep came back to me and advised he would refund the complete amount. I also got a confirmation number from them. I emailed them back (and BSG) with the details of what I had been told and the confirmation number. I’ll sit and wait to see if the money is credited back to my Verizon account.
I am sending this to alert others to watch their phone bills. Also, be sure to check your bank account regularly as similar things have
happened on my bank statement as well........claiming I signed up for something.......which I didn't.
I am urging anyone with such a problem to contact their own phone company, not the biller.
Regards
Pat
Replies
Seems to me that everyone is trying to get as much money from the public as possable befor the system ends. So that is they give us one cent to the dollar they will still be millionares. Remember bunkers and supplies are expensive!