Complaint Review: International Satellite Communications

My Father was in transiting in St. Maarten (SXM). His connecting flight had been delayed and he was not going to be coming that night. He picked up the phone, called and said, Cindy, I will not be coming in tonight. Please call your mother and let her know. This lasted less than 1 min. My dad did not have to explain anything b/c we travel a lot and know exactly what that means. This call was placed on June 8, 2009 at about 5:00pm.

On June 12, 2009 a charge for $0.95 was charged to my account. I assumed that my dad had used our mutual credit card to make the call and that was the charge for the call. Later that day the charges were reversed.

21 days AFTER placing the call, I received a second set of charges on my account amounting to $41.91. I called my credit card company to put a stop on my card, since they told me that these charges were originated from Germany. No one had traveled to Germany recently.

I then called the 1-800-608-0575 # on my statement. I inquired about these charges. They agreed that the call was not more than 1 min in length, but then informed me that they charge $16.01 for connection fee and $5.18 per minute after that with a min of a 5 min charge.

Look, I have been to SXM several times. The rate is not posted ANYWHERE. If you make a credit card call you are expecting to pay double the rate, and the rate out of SXM is $0.45/min. There was no way my dad was expecting to pay through the nose for this call.

I told them that I did not agree with these charges and that they should refund my money. He claimed that he could not refund the whole thing, but since it was the first time I used their service that he would refund the connection fee of $16.01. I said fine refund that 1st but I want my $40.96 back ($41.91 0.95) as I think that that is a fear price to pay for the call.

The guy now claims that he cannot refund the $16.01 b/c I have cancelled my card and the only refund possible is through the same card. I said cut me a check. He claims that the company does not cut checks.

Then he proceeds to console my by telling me that the recording says that you may be charged at up to $10 for this call. How stupid does he think people are? Up to $10??? Your initial charge is $16.01!! How, if you told me that I may be charged up to $10.00 I would expect to pay $41.91 for a call that lasted less than 1 minute???

Look this whole thing is a rip off and I want my money back!!

I have reported it to my credit card company, but it is going to take them 30-60 day to investigated.

Someone please help!!

I even went as far as to tell the company that I will seek my lawyers and the media on them, but they did not seem to be moved by that.

I really want to take this further. This is happening to too many innocent people.

Cindy robinson
Greenville, South Carolina
U.S.A.