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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?

Andrea of Prince George, MD July 1, 2008

Andrea of Prince George MD (07/01/08)
Collect call charge to my bill on 4/27 for 23.75 that I did not accept. Call removed from May bill and reappeared on my June bill again. Plus there are additional connection charges and taxes for 5.66.

Money I can not afford to THROW away.

Richard of Broomfield, CO June 27, 2008

Richard of Broomfield CO (06/27/08)
I recently received additional changes on my Qwest bill in the amount of 241.64. While in Cancun I called direct because calling cards would not work. I called 5 times for a total of 27 minutes. This amounts to 8.94 per minute. I could understand this type of rate 30 years ago, but today with new technology this is nothing more than a scam. What I find most disturbing is Qwest providing the billing for ZPDI. After a little research I find that this company based in Texas is no more than a collection agency representing TELCO companies. Not only did Qwest provide billing for ZPDI, but they also paid ZPDI up front. My refusal to pay will now result in a confrontation with Qwest. So, what to do.

After speaking with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission I was advised I can make Qwest recourse the charges. In other words Qwest must go back to ZPDI and get a refund on the money paid. This I did a few minutes ago. Now ZPDI can bill me directly. Unless they can provide me with a substantial reduction their in for a fight. All the emails on this site and others show that this company is stealing millions from the public. If they want to fight me they will in front of a Judge. Time will tell and more to come.

Linda of Navarre, OH June 24, 2008

Linda of Navarre OH (06/24/08)
A charge of 3.45 appeared on my ATT bill with no explation. I called ATT and they could not explain the charge. Thank you

Maria of Houston, TX June 17, 2008

Maria of Houston TX (06/17/08)
I received an extra phone charge, in a separate sheet from my phone provider, AT & T, labelled ZPDI, for a total of a collect call made from Clearwater Florida to my home phone. It had a code DSB, for 3 minutes, total of 37.32. The date was /5/20/2008, the time 8:16 p.m. I do not know anybody in Florida. I do not make, or accept long distance calls ANYWHERE. I have never had a long distance phone service.

The Mike person I spoke with @ 4:25 p.m. this Tuesdat, June 17. from Houston, Texas was the one who told me this phone is a pay phone in Florida! The AT & T phone person I spoke with first, here in Houston, also apologized, stating that the AT & T logo was on the bill and page, because they are a billing company for other billing companies. Which is the same lame excuse the Mike person gave from Manila, the Philipines, saying that they were a billing company for something called Custom Teleconnect, which is the name given on the 37.32 bill tacked to my phone bill for this month.

I suggested to AT & T person, Houston, TX and to Mike person, Manila City the Phillipines, that they should add a bill for their hourly services to the ORIGINATOR of this SCAM, for their time spent with me. To which, my hourly time should be added: when I work for the local community college, it is billed at 55.00 an hour; when I work for University of Houston Downtown and the University of St.Thomas, it is 155.00 an hour. NO PHONE CALLS FROM ATTORNEYS AT ALL. No More solicitation!

Both systems say today that they will run a check and a clearance. With AT & T, this will not clear until my next billing period. With ZPDI, about the same, 30 days or so.

Gloria of Mishawaka, IN June 7, 2008

Gloria of Mishawaka IN (06/07/08)
I just received my phone bill and found that where my son had called me collect from Constantine, MI. I was charged 31.09 for a 4 min. phone call. This rounds out to be over 7.00 per min. I feel that this is an outrages amount for 1 phone call. I will not except any more long distance calls that are collect. I do believe that something needs to be done in regulating what a company can charge for any phone call. Just because when you receive a collect call that you don't what the charges are until you get your bill they can charge you amounts that would be considered over and above the norm.

I told my son that it would have been cheaper to drive here. That he can pay for this call and to never call me collect again because I will never except anymore long distance phone calls. They can go buy a phone card if they want to call me since these phone companies want to rip you off with unreasonable charges. At this point I am considering having my home phone taken out and only have a cell phone. This bill was a shocker! 31.09 for 4 minutes.

This amount was about the same amount that my phone company charges me for a whole month. Even though it was a collect call I feel it was an unreasonable charge. I did not expect a bill of this substantial amount and did not plan for it but have to pay what ever they want to charge me.

I feel the government needs to put in some type of regulation to stop companies like this from unresonable charges. I feel that when you are excepting collect calls that they should have to tell you what the charge is per minute. If this were the case I am sure a lot more people would be rejecting the collect calls

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