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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?

Chris of Saint Charles, MI March 28, 2009

Chris of Saint Charles MI (03/28/09)
ZPDI is trying to charge over 100 for two collect calls that lasted a total of 12 mins. They provided no advanced rates or mention of connection fee's when these calls were made. They have been very unco-operative when contacted. Currently we are fighting these outrages charges through our phone provider, AT & T.

100+ of additional charges that showed up on our phone bill.

Andrei of Wesley Chapel, FL March 21, 2009

Andrei of Wesley Chapel FL (03/21/09)
3-21-2009 I received a phone bill from my local provider (Verizon) that included charges in the amount of 75.91 billed for ZPDI (27 minutes) for phone calls made to Mexico. I called ZPDI customer service and explained that I have an international call provider AT&T and I should not have been billed by ZPDI. The associate replied that I must have made an operator assisted calls, which I did not. The associate replied that I should have heard a recording warning about additional charges - which I have not heard; otherwise I would not have made those calls. This is a scam by this so called service company.

Alana of El Cajon, CA March 12, 2009

Alana of El Cajon CA (03/12/09)
Last month my Fiance was stranded and since he lost his cell phone he had to call collect to get a ride, he then called me back to see if somebody was coming to get him, so 2 collect calls, each no more than 2 minutes. we get billed 61.42  from ZPDI, the company that handles the collect calls. OUTRAGOUS!  Oh and we got charged for 6 minutes each, so 12 minutes total. So I call this company thinking this MUST be a mistake. Nope no mistake, they have a minimum charge of 6 minutes, which is 30.71, that's 5 a minute!

So no matter how long you are on the phone, it could be 2 seconds, and you are billed 30 bucks! And each additional minute is 1.99 and it's considered long distance to call from La Mesa to El Cajon she says! (Which is like 5 minutes away). Because it's not the same city! BOGUS! Then I tell her that their plan is pretty lame and they should do something about that, in so many words, and she tells me that it's the LAW! What kind of law is that?

That doesn't sound right. then I google this company, and it's just page after page of complaints on this company! Pretty shady stuff and there's nothing that I can do about it! You would think that they should at least have to warn you how much they will be charging when you call collect! THAT SHOULD BE THE LAW! DONT CALL COLLECT!

Normally were struggling from paycheck to paycheck and wouldn't be able to afford an extra 60 charge and would probably get our service shut off, but luckily we just got our tax return and had some extra money to pay this rediculous charge.

Harrol of Marshall, AR March 6, 2009

Harrol of Marshall AR (03/06/09)
This Long distance carrier is billing people for services not rendered. I have been billed for collect calls on my home phone that was not made. A call was made from a cell phone in my name to a pay phone. This carrier billed it as a collect call to my home phone. There was two or three attempts to get me to take a collect call, and I would not. The also charged me for refusing a call.

I cannot contact the company, the number that I have furnished you is only a billing company. I have contacted the billing company and ask for a copy of all the bills against me and they refused to furnish one. They also refused to give me a phone # so I could contact the phone company.

They have cost me serveral hours of work and worry trying to settle this account.

Juan of Burien, WA February 10, 2009

Juan of Burien WA (02/10/09)
there was a international call for 21 minuites and was charges 78.79 when i called zpdi they offered a 7.00 discount when i refused to accept and wanted a manager the representative hung up on me

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