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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?

Donna of Greenacres, WA October 7, 2008

Donna of Greenacres WA (10/07/08)
Husband call collect, recieved bill for 3 min. 35.46, 10 Min. 36.25, 4 Min.28.45......price gauge

Can't afford this, we are retired on fixed income. Please help

Patrick of Brookings, OR October 4, 2008

Patrick of Brookings OR (10/04/08)
My telephone carrier is Verison. For two collect calls to my number, each lasting 5 minutes, I was charged 24.00 for each one from ZPDI that was on my Verison bill. That is 48.00 total for 10 minutes total call use time. That is more than I pay for my unlimited service per month with Verison.

This is a complete rip-off. The fee that ZPDI on Verisons billing statement to me amounts to 288.00 per hour! Do you see my problem?

288.00 per hour for a phone call has major effects on anyones personal finances. They steal, and we pay. STOP THEM!

Tushar of Omaha, NE September 25, 2008

Tushar of Omaha NE (09/25/08)
We received charges on our monthly bill about 38 for a collect call from ZPDI. We were never informed about this collect call. We received a call from an operator and asked someone is willing to talk to you. Then I said, ok pass it on. Nothing was mentioned about being as a collect call and charges will be imposed on our monthly bill. I called ZPDI and customer representative was very rude and not at all cooperative. This is absolutely cheating with the customer.

We eventually have to pay this charge to avoid further complications. I am going to post this on many websites but I am not sure how to inform people about this scam. I wonder how such a service is present which robs people. There are complains all over the internet. Mine would be another one. Who is the owner of this company?

Linda of Mesa, AZ September 16, 2008

Linda of Mesa AZ (09/16/08)
When my 26 year old stepdaughter was in the hospital, she placed four phone calls and had them billed to my telephone number without my authorization or knowledge. I first became aware of this when I received my QWest phone bill and saw charges from ZPDI totaling over 60 for four three-minute calls. This averages out to 5 per minute for calls within the U.S. I contacted ZPDI and they told me who had made the calls, and said that she told the operator this my telephone number was her number. I explained that the caller has never lived me, did not have my permission to use my number, and used it without my knowledge; therefore, I wanted a credit on my bill.

The representative told me that could not be done. I persisted and continued to receive the same answer. I asked whether anyone in the world could make a call, fradulently using my number, and I would be charged for it. The representative said, Yes. I asked what recourse I had, and he told me that I could file a fraud report with the police. Next, I asked to speak to this representative's supervisor. I had to repeat this request several times before being transferred. When I reached the supervisor and explained, she told me that they could credit my account for 21 and I would have to pay the balance.

I told her that this was completely unacceptable and that I was going to take it up with QWest. QWest was much more reasonable. They told me that they could file a fraud complaint and that they would credit my account after I completed the report. Because of QWest's willingness to work with me, I did not suffer any financial consequences. If I had dealt solely with ZPDI, I would have been responsible for paying for fraudulently-made calls.

Rosa of Conyers, GA September 14, 2008

Rosa of Conyers GA (09/14/08)
I called ZPDI on 09092008 and asked for someone to tell me what the charges are for.I was told collect calls, no one was home to accept these calls, also I have had collect call block for years, with all the scams from people in prison and the ability of others to route from you number to others in other countries, causing outrageous calls to be on your phone bills. At&T was not much help either, see below this is my inquiry. They informed me to call ZPDI, which was done. ZPDI, told me I neededto prove thatI had call blocking for collect calls.This featureis a part of the Complete Choice Package with Bellsouth, which is now At&T. Now called the Preferred Plan, which Isigned up for in March 14,2007.

After leaving Bellsouth for their lousy customer service Ihave since August of this year ported my number to another carrier, as I had become dissattified with theirservice yet again. I am not going to pay for these charges Per their website: Call Blocking Avoid Unwanted Calls Call Blocking 7.00 per month, included with BellSouth Complete Choice at no additional cost pricing details Block calls from specific numbers so your phone does not even ring

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