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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?

catherine of atlanta, GA January 29, 2010

charged 17.17 for a collect call at 5:24am to an 83 year old. 3 minutes was shown on the bill, but the representative said it was 1 minute. 1 minute because a button was push. a refund was refused by bianca, the representative.it seems this company is calling people early in the morning when people are sleep. the phone might have dropped, who knows?

Amy of Bellingham, WA January 21, 2010

On Dec. 14, my fathe--who was stuck in an airport in Oakland, CA awaiting his plane--attempted five separate times to place a collect call to me to advise me not to pick him up at the airport. Each time, after connecting us, ZPDI dropped the call. Since he hadn't yet conveyed the correct information to me, he kept calling back. I advised the operator that we were having problems with connection, and that I didn't expect to be billed for the calls that weren't gong through. I was told it wouldn't.

We were put through each time, and after talking for a few seconds there would be a whole lot of static, and we'd hang up. I received a bill for approximately 100 - I was charged 12.75 for each "four-minute" phone call, the minimum. When I called to complain, I was told that, since we'd actually spoken, I would still be charged.

After being connected with a supervisor, they agreed to take around 40 off the call, but said they couldn't do better than that. I'm incensed that this company doesn't accept full responsibility, and that their "collect" fees are so out of control. I am now expected to pay approximately 40-50 for a call that ultimately lasted less than four minutes total.

Stuart of COLUMBIA, SC, SC January 17, 2010

We werenever notified that this was a collect call. A calling card wasused from a payphone in LA. The charges of over 2.00/minute are usuary and unrealisitic. Total charges were 118.00. We need this refunded. Any assistance you cangive is appreciated.

David of Woodstock, VT January 11, 2010

Used for a "Collect Call." Attempted to speak with a representative to assertain cost but could not reach anyone. Charged 17.00 for a call that normally would have been less than 1.00.

Bonnie of Haw River, NC December 23, 2009

I got my phone bill from att accept a collect call from son talk 3 mins was charge 23.16 from a pay phone about 15 miles from my house. This is crazy and highway robbery. Wish this company would post the rates on the pay phone and you would know exactly where you stand.

jacqueline of west columbia, SC December 21, 2009

These people are nothing but crooks. They billed my AT&T for 659.81 for collect calls that I know are not correct. I can not receive and collect and collect calls to my home. I was home at the time when this call came through, so you can not and I did not accepst the calls, but they billed me anyway and according to AT&T reps that company has a way of getting around it to charge forks.

I looked up this company and there are many complaints regarding them. But what bugs me is that AT&T knows this and yet they want to charge their customer on their (american roaming net and zero plus dailing company) behalf.

Allan of Rushsylvania, OH December 18, 2009

Was told that is what is charged. A charge of 95.66 for 24 min of collect calls

Jay of South Gate , CA December 7, 2009

On our bill dated 11/5/09 AT&T billed me on behalf of the above-named company for nine collect calls made by a developmentally challenged resident of a group home in October, which I never accepted. I was charged 9.80 for 5.0 minutes on each call, for a total of 88.20. This was automatically debited from my wife's checking account on 12/5/09.

Salvatore of New York, NY December 1, 2009

Friend of mine called me collect and I accepted charges (unaware that it was not my telephone company (Verizon) but Zero Plus Dialing, Inc. Neither my friend nor I were told what the charges would be for this 60 second call. I was charged 16.05 plus taxes. I called to complain and they said I was charged the mininum of 5 minustes.

This is outrageous. What happen to 10 cents a minute? Who are these people? Why aren't they regulated? Needless to say I AM NOT PAYING THEM. AND I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD DO THE SAME. THAT SHOULD STOP THEM.

Karen of Cary, NC November 30, 2009

On Nov. 4, I made what I assumed was a calling card call, and when I received my bill, it had somehow gone through zero plus dialing, billing me at 5X the rate of a call that was twice as long. I called, unaware of what had happened and received a 30% adjustment. I then spoke to AT&T and realized I should have demanded more of an adjustment - now they will not negotiate it down any more.

They keep saying it was a pay phone call, when it was dialed direct from my office number. This is a total rip-off; and I don't understand how it ever got to ZPDI for billing.

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