Complain about a product or service

Embarq

Embarq is a local telephone company that was formerly known as Sprint.

Bernadine of Piscataway, NJ May 13, 2009

We purchased a home in Naples, Fl in July 2008. I contacted Florida Power and Light to switch the previous owner to my name for electricity. Once done they asked me if I wanted to speak to someone about telephone service. I told the woman that I had no need for telephone service since I was living in NJ and only visiting FL intermittently. She said I could speak to someone and get some information on phone service. I said okay since i would be eventually moving to FL full time in a year so I just wanted to know what they offered.

I was transferred to a person named Steven who went through various products including internet and surge protection and alarm systems. He asked me if I wanted to go ahead and start up service I told him no, that I had no need for such service but will most likely need it in the future. He said he would give me a telephone number that would be reserved for me when I called back to initiate service. I wrote it down and said again this is not going to be for now is it? He adamantly said no! He then gave me his phone number. I said thank you and hung up.

In August of 2008 I got a call at my home in NJ from a person at Embarq saying that a technician was on his way to my home in Fl to set up service. I told her no, I have not requested service I live in NJ please do not send anyone its a mistake. She apologized and hung up. That was it until yesterday when a collections agency called my daughter and harrassed her about a bill I supposedly owe EMBARQ for 420.

I called them back immediately, and spoke to 3 people at EMBARQ the last person being an Accounts Receivable rep. I said to him what I mentioned above and told him I never consented to telephone service and what is the 420 for? He could not answer saying he didn't have an itemized bill in front of him. I asked what kind of scam is EMBARQ pulling? I never received a bill because certainly if I had, I would have responded immediately. He said they were sent to my address in Florida I said impossible, no mail was every sent. He then gave me a number to contact the collections agency to dispute the charge.

I called and spoke to a very nice woman who had babies crying in the background so I know this person works from home for the collections agency. She could not find an account with my name on it or number that was given to me by the accounts receivable rep. I told her thank you and I would contact EMBARQ again in the morning. So right now I am so angry that some representative of EMBARQ had the audacity to open an account for me without my consent. Can you help me? I refuse to pay for something I did not order or use.

One other thing, when I arrived in FL in October 2008 for the first time since May, the person who takes care of my home brought in a box that contained cables and a modem from EMBARQ. Evidently they sent that and I received it so where are the bogus bills? I still have the equipment and told the rep I would gladly return it, he had no knowledge of any such equipment. I feel like I am being expertly scammed and I want to resolve this matter as expediously as possible. Thank you for the forum.

Rick of Las Vegas, NV April 23, 2009

i have had embarq service almost 2 yrs. i pay for unlisted # and get loads of junk mail, bill collection wrong #calls and even embarq solicitation calls. they said i need to upgrade to stop the harrasment. they never try to help me. the only thing they do is make sure i have a new bill before the ink drys on the last check i wrote them. also i use them only for computer & fax only and have a great cell company that never plays games with me. their m/o needs some serious looking into. i am starting a new business and am locked in to them with e mail & internet info or i would run right now

Elizabeth of Tallahassee, FL April 9, 2009

Elizabeth of Tallahassee FL (04/09/09)
Consistently harassed by collections calls, apparently name and phone number are published in white pages directory for embarq. I do not owe money and do not want collections calls. They are calling for someone who used to have this number. The only way I am told by EMBARQ that I can stop this problem is to pay for an unlisted number. I get calls days, nights, weekends by multiple collection companies. EMBARQ told me I could change the number to a new number (I paid) and collections immediately started calling this new phone number. EMBARQ offered me 3 months of free service and even 158.55 for my inconvenience and I said no I would be pursuing this at higher levels. They would not have paid anyway. They offered a 50.00 rewards program for referrals and never paid the referral clients they had. EMBARQ denies they are at fault. Only my family has this phone number.

EMBARQ is unfairly putting out information and harassing people, violating their privacy, refusing to block phone numbers from collections agencies and deny any responsiblity for this. When I had voice over IP with comcast. I never had this issue. I just want my contract which has been extended without my knowledge by EMBARQ cancelled. I will never use them again. They are disreputable, dishonest, they have the worst customer service and consumer affairs departments I have ever dealt with in my 30 years of computer experience and they should be shut down. People should be asked if they want to provide information that is accessible on the internet, not by default have all information posted.

There are many complaints about EMBARQ's policies and practices and yet no one does anything about it. I have reported this to the FTC, I am on the do not call list, I will be reporting it to the Florida Public Services Commission and next will be ACLU. We are stuck with this phone company and once they get you under contract they will never release you and they don't tell what you will be forced to endure. They lie, they cheat, they do not inform, and they will not change their business policies. You tell me why they should remain in business without stronger regulation and punitive damages? You need to pursue a class action suit against this company.

emotional harassment verbally by EMBARQ and collections companies, many hours spent on the phone with EMBARQ, collections companies, writing compaints about these issues, who reimbruses me for my time? Why isn't there better regulation of all phone companies and their policies regarding release of personal informaton. We have it in the medical world, it is called HIPAA, there is nothing that correlates to this for privacy in real world. I'm sure ACLU would be interested to hear about these violation of privay issues. Maybe they'll file a class action suit.

William of Boones Mill, VA April 6, 2009

William of Boones Mill VA (04/06/09)
I was under a long distance plan that allowed me to make 30 calls free per month. This was indicated on my bill both in paper and on line. In November, 2008 without contacting me or negotiating another agreement, I was charged an automatic 1 per month for this alleged free long distance. I contacted an Embarq representative who credited me the 6 that I was being charged for the long distance. Let the buyer beware seems to be the position in these economic times.

Glenda of The Dalles, OR March 25, 2009

Glenda of The Dalles OR (03/25/09)
Embarq continues to deny responsibilty for these charges from ILD and ESBI. They said I had a courteous credit (?). I advised Embarq to look up the complaints. I advised them to get out this 'agreement' they have with ILD and ESBI. They still maintain they have done nothing wrong.

My credit rating 'if' I don't pay, collection agencies in the forecast. I have chose to fight this. I have written the Better Bureau and also filed a complaint with Consumer Affairs. I have been in banking for over 33 years, I know what happens when there is a collection agency involved. I am not about to loose my rating over a 'fraud charge'.

Sherri of Clayton, NC March 9, 2009

Sherri of Clayton NC (03/09/09)
EMBARQ is providing billing services for other companies including other communication companies. The third party OSP has charged us for none received non-accepted phone calls. EMBARQ should not allow these companies to bill us. Additionally, we have been charged 2 + taxes for a non-listed number. Not only is the number listed, but the full name and address.

Time spent waiting on hold with Embarq. They then told me they don't handle this, but to call the third party. Time spent waiting on hold with OSB.

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