AT&T ripoff

AT&T is busting my budget, affectionately known as “B. J.’s boojay.”

More than a few folks had related to me sudden problems with Internet connections, phone jacks and other equipment essential to communication.

Shortly after AT&T took over my Bell South account, I discovered people were trying to call, but my phones were not ringing. The AT&T service rep passed up two phone jacks in my apartment and made a beeline for the kitchen jack, which he diagnosed “corroded” – the first such problem I’d had in 22 years of service from said jack. That shiny metal rectangle now gracing my wall cost me $115.

Then, an AT&T rep sold me on the purchase of a plan offering 24/7, unlimited, state-to-state long-distance calls at a monthly fee I couldn’t refuse,

I happily gave up a Sprint toll-free number I’d had for 11 years.

Then, I got my bill. A red flag went up when my new balance was the highest I’d had in years. A closer examination revealed I was being charged more than the rep had indicated.

Then, of course, there were 15 – 15, count ‘em – appended taxes and fees itemized with indecipherable code names, acronyms and abbreviations – totaling more than the basic service charge.

I innocently believed a call to AT&T would take care of the overcharge on the long-distance plan, but the rep wouldn’t budge despite my protests that the plan had been misrepresented to me. So, I dropped the plan.

To my chagrin, the next month’s bill was even higher. That’s when I discovered long-distance calls were 35 cents a minute (compared with Sprint’s 10 cents). We haven’t seen those kind of per-minute charges in years.

Attempting to switch back to Sprint, I was told that company no longer offers long-distance plans for home telephones and is now concentrating on cell phones.

I need a cell phone like I need the shingles.

Throughout all these exchanges I was forced to listen to the “bundling” spiel – although I have long since figured out the least expensive way to go.

Now, thanks to one AT&T lie, I cannot make long-distance calls. Suddenly, I’ve been warped back to the days before the bust-up of the AT&T monopoly.

Naturally, this news item yesterday caught my ear:

“AT&T reported an increase in unpaid phone bills in the fourth quarter, another sign that consumers are stretched.”

Stretched? I’m hanging on for dear life!

Maybe AT&T customers have suddenly found themselves with bill increases they had not anticipated and are unable to pay.

Fortunately, I’ve managed to cover mine.

The Associated Press reports:

“Telephone companies have cut off FBI wiretaps used to eavesdrop on suspected criminals because of the Bureau's repeated failures to pay phone bills on time.” FULL STORY

The Bureau blames an “antiquated” system of keeping up with money dispensed to its 56 field offices – and an embezzling bookkeeper to boot.

My system of accounts receivable and accounts payable is slick.

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