Long Distance Company Targets Area Seniors

[ponto]

The bills which consumers are receiving are from Buzz Telecom of Merrillville, Indiana and impose charges for long distance telephone services ranging from about $9 to approximately $36.

“There have been 17 Kentucky complaints, most filed within the last week as consumers received their November billing statement,” Stumbo added. “We have complaints from people in Lexington, Somerset, Flemingsburg, Ashland, Murray, Liberty and Brooksville. It appears Buzz has sent these false billings to consumers across the state,” Stumbo said.


Consumers receiving questionable billings from Buzz Telecom are urged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office at (888)432-9257.

[kdown]

Buzz Telecom: Last week, the Ohio consumers' counsel asked the Public Utilities Commission to suspend the ability of Buzz Telecom of Merrillville, Ind., to solicit new customers in Ohio until the company begins complying with state and federal rules. The OCC said it reviewed more than 50 complaints to its agency and the PUCO from residents saying that Buzz had misled older adults into switching to its long-distance service. In some cases, consumers have reported that Buzz representatives identify themselves as being from the local telephone company with special discounts. Several other states are also investigating Buzz's practices.

AT&T Ohio has also written to Buzz asking it to stop its unfair and deceptive business practices. ``Based on what we know, it certainly seems deserving of investigation,'' said AT&T spokeswoman Caryn Candisky. The PUCO staff has also asked Buzz to respond to complaints, said spokeswoman Shana Eiselstein.

Buzz Telecom officials declined to comment.

[bostonbaby]

Speaking of the phone company. Has anyone heard that they had charged a tax that either they shouldn't of or charged too much? I was told it also applied to cell phone bills. I do know my cell phone bill went down a few dollars and i compared it to an old bill and it was indeed this tax. From what i understand you will be able to deduct the amount overcharged from your taxes if you can get your past phone records.