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ZPDI: Zero Plus Dialing

ZPDI illustrates what happens when Congress is so busy trying to please warring lobbyists that it overlooks the consumer.

ZPDI • Feds Settle with BSG/ZPDI/Billing Concepts • Disputed Collect Calls • Expensive Collect Calls • Calling Card Calls • Hotel Room Calls • Scam Calls from Mexico • "Regular Carrier Unavailable" • Calls through Opticom --- • Congressional Action Needed to Stop ZPDI • You can fight back • ZPDI: What Can Consumers Do? • Consumer complaints about ZPDI and WXT Communications • Who's Behind ZPDI?

A little history: More than 70 years ago, Congress passed the Communications Act of 1934, which established a very orderly system that regulated telephone service, broadcasting and other public-service utilities. Everyone paid pretty much the same price and everyone got pretty much the same reliable, relatively inexpensive service.

It wasn't until 1996 that Congress once again stirred itself and, after decades of furious lobbying, passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which basically deregulated telephone service, cable TV and broadcasting as far as consumers are concerned, leaving in place just enough regulation to protect the big players who employ all those lobbyists.

ZPDI is a creature of the new "market-driven" telecom universe -- you know, the one that's brought you rising cable rates, bankrupt DSL providers and, oh yes, all the new local phone service competitors. (See ZPDI: Behind the Screen)

What can you do?

• Fight back. We have reports from consumers who've done it and won.
• Write your Congressional representatives. Unless you live in Washington, D.C., you are represented by two Senators and one Member of Congress. To get their addresses, type your Zip code in the box above. More on this topic.
• Complain loudly, publicly and bitterly to ZPDI's "partners." ZPDI is a billing agent for companies and institutions that own the telephones in hotels, hospitals and prisons and for payphones located in stores, airports, schools and on street corners. The owners of the phones are getting a big cut and you should let them know you don't like it.

Here are a few sample complaints. You'll find many more in the categories listed to the right.

ZPDI • Feds Settle with BSG/ZPDI/Billing Concepts • Disputed Collect Calls • Expensive Collect Calls • Calling Card Calls • Hotel Room Calls • Scam Calls from Mexico • "Regular Carrier Unavailable" • Calls through Opticom --- • Congressional Action Needed to Stop ZPDI • You can fight back • ZPDI: What Can Consumers Do? • Consumer complaints about ZPDI and WXT Communications • Who's Behind ZPDI?

linda of Lake Bluff, IL November 14, 2009

I was charged 80.28 for 5 collect calls made from a hospital by a former high school student who needed help. 14.81 for 3 min (3 calls). 17.48 for 6 minutes, 18.37 for 7 minutes. The calls were made from a town only a couple of towns north of my home. This is robbery. At no time was I told of the exorbitant price of the calls by the company. Something needs to be done.

Frank of Reno, NV November 3, 2009

I had accepted three collect calls from my nephew and was charged 54.00 and in that along with the collect calls was a statement fee charge in the amount of 2.00. This was in August 09. Told my nephew not to call collect anymore and he has not. I paid the above bill from at&t. Since then, every month I have received a "statement fee" of 2.00 only, charged by zero plus dialing. Sept 2.00 and Oct 2.00

I called and they say its for collect calls and I have had no callect calls since August. Even they haven't charged me a collect call. So I try to ask "why am I still getting a statement fee from them continuously. This started a round of arguing and they told me It would be for each call. I said if it was for each call back in august then why wasn't it listed as per call charge instead of statement fee? Still more arguing. Asked for supervisor and still this "India" girl kept on and I told her I was done talking with her, I wanted a supervisor. It ended with me saying to her "get me a damn supervisor now!" Finally she transferred me. Stayed on hold 15 minutes and then I got a another "India" woman. They all sound as if they are from India.

First thing I asked for her name. She said Mary. I wrote that down. I went throught the whole situation again and more arguing but in the end she finally said she would reverse it but it would be one or two billing cycles when I would see it. I then asked for her last name in the event in one or two cycles I don't see my credit, I would be able to call her back. She then told me she couldn't give me her last name. I'm like 'what'?

Then that made me suspicious and I asked for address and she wouldn't give me that either. Now, I'm really concerned. Who are these people? I called at&t after and they suggested to file my complaints and I am doing so. Something surely isn't right here. Someone needs to stop these people from automatically charging people a statement fee for no services rendered and by the look of the complaints against these people I can't believe this is still going on. It may be only four dollars to me right now, but that's not the principle. If I don't have any collect calls that I accepted, who are they to continue month after month charging me a statement fee. I didn't sign any contract.

Cynthia of Hawthorne, CA October 26, 2009

I was recently in South Africa, and wanted to make a collect call to my husband in California. Directory information in South Africa advised me they no longer provide that service, and gave me another number to call: 0800993601, which I called and followed the prompts. The first call to my husband was refused as he could not understand who the caller was. I made a second call a few minutes later, and was connected. We spoke briefly - less than 5minutes. I received my AT&T bill this weekend and have been charged for 2 calls @ US43.92 EACH (including the call that was refused), plus taxes of US4.77 for a total of 100.11.

I called to dispute these charges, and Zero Plus (or ZPDI) was only willing to reduce the charges marginally, which I found unacceptable, and asked for the name and address of the C.E.O. of the company, intending to take this matter further. At no time when I placed the calls from South Africa was there any indication of the charges that would be incurred - nor an opportunity to discontinue, nor an indication that this was a satellite company - i.e. no information on the provided at all. I will instruct AT&T to separate these charges from my bill, and not to pay them on my behalf, as this amount is in dispute.

Jack of Lincolnton, NC October 8, 2009

My 9/22/09 AT&T bill contained 2 charges for 2 collect calls made from Kissimmee, Fl. I don't know anyone there. Both calls were for the exact same amount, both for the exact same time - 3 minutes, which is how long my answering machine runs before it cuts off. I was not home that night, and I live alone. 59.37 in fraudulent charges....

Susan of Corona del Mar, CA October 7, 2009

Was charged 45.33 for accepting 5 minute collect call from my son in Chicago who called from a payphone. Had I known that the charge was going to be so exorbitant, I would not have accepted the charge. Zero Plus should be required to disclose the amount of the charge so that potential victims of their egregious pricing can decide whether or not to participate. 45.33 was added to my telephone bill, bringing it from 60.85 to over 100.

Matt of Pleasanton, CA September 30, 2009

Our office was charged 21.66 for 2 3-minute collect calls, one minute apart. Once I finally got the rep on the phone (5 minutes of hold time), I was told that even though the calls were billed one minute apart, they charge a minimum of 3 minutes per call. I then explained that the calls were placed before our office was open, meaning voicemail picked up, and that the line called was a trunk line to our system, a number that our office doesn't even have. After trying to justify his charges, and failing miserably, he finally credited me the full amount. Although we got the full amount back, it wasted about 15 minutes of my day arguing with a company that shouldn't be allowed to conduct business in the fashion they do. ALWAYS call and complain about the charges, and have a good reasoning. They will usually refund.

katherine of fremont, CA September 29, 2009

My phone bill was charged 75.oo for 3 1 minute collect phone calls from just two cities away.

Kim of Hartford City, IN September 22, 2009

This is a follow-up...After sending my complaint, I contacted my local carrier again. AT&T did give us a 20 credit, even though the collect call charge was not their fault-it was Zero Plus Dialing that charged the 35.98 for a 30-second call. Zero Plus Dialing said they would refund 14.39 plus tax, so most of our charges will be refunded and I am satisfied with the outcome. However, I still think it is horrible that Zero Plus Dialing can charge so much for a short collect call!

Kim of Hartford City, IN September 21, 2009

My husband was traveling in Northern Michigan & did not have cell phone reception in that area. He made a 30-second collect call to me to tell me the name of his motel. We were billed 35.98 for this call. I called AT&T (our local carrier) who told me the most they could adjust was 14.39 plus tax. I expected to pay maybe 5 for the 30-second call. This should be illegal - or is it - to charge that much. They did not disclose the amount of charges before I accepted the call!

Kathleen of sacramento, CA September 19, 2009

I received an online ebill from ATT and I now have a 54 charge for a call that was placed from an unknown # my machine took the call twice, I can't beleive that this is legal and will definetly contact every agency and attorney I can I'm pissed with things slim to none as it is these people are also trying to rip off!! Incredible that this is allowed!

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