MCI WorldCom rips off customers and refuses to fix it.
I purchase a phone from MCI 9 months ago. It is a little Nokia. I spend almost $300 on this phone. My credit is not so great so they asked for a $250 deposit or they could set me up on automatic bank card drafting. That mean they would take out my monthy payment of 69.99 every month.
Two months ago, my phone stopped working. I called Customer service to find out why. They said my account was suspended for non payment. I told them that I was set up for automatic bank drafting.
I was told they have had problems with their billing system. It was not taking the money like it should have. I never recieved a invoice in the mail. By FCC law I am to recieve a invoice every 30 days. I never did.
They had my address wrong, so I corrected their mistake and they said they would send me a invoice in the mail. I was also told that if I made a "GOOD FAITH PAYMENT" of $50 my account would be reactivated within 24-48 hours. We agreed I would pay the balance when I recieved the Call detail invoice's.
Two days later I called back my phone was still not working. I was told that my good faith payment had been processed the day after I made it. During that time my account went from suspended to deactivated and the only way I could have my phone turned on was to pay the full balance of 559.92.
I do not have enought money to pay a lump sum like that. MCI should have taking 69.99 out every month instead their system was broken and did not take the money. That is not my fault and I should not have to pay for their mistakes.
Every person I have talked to in customer support or collections has agreed with my side and went to their manager to try to help me out. Time after time the manager would not change my account status.
I also have this balance showing up as 120+ days late on my credit report, again becauser they failed to take their payment or notify me that they had not recieved a payment. It justr goes to show that sometimes a "GOOD FAITH PAYMENT" is only in good faith to the company not the consumer. I still have not received a Invoice for the amount owed.
I cannot get my phone hooked up elsewhere because MCI has damaged my credit rating. I will never again use MCI for anything. If you have MCI as you Long Distance carrier I suggest changing to a more customer friendly organization like XO COMM.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
#50
Thu, May 02, 2002
Well you can call this a half victory. The FCC contacted MCI for violations of my contract. MCI called and removed the $200 early cancelation fee. But they still want me to pay 400 dollars for their neglect. I guess I will be send the FCC another letter and try to get these crooked MCI folks from ripping off people.
Still Calling wanting Money Extremly Rude
#50
Wed, December 19, 2001
MCi has called me every week trying to collect on this account. They are telling me I signed a contract and I have to honor it. I have tried to dispute the charges. They told me they would transfer me to customer Service. Then a message comes on telling me due to high call volume to call back. I have heard this message a thousand time in the last few months. They should just disconnect there number. I signed a contract that involved MCI taking out the payment monthly from my checking account. They never did so I don't fel I have to honor their contract. They have not honor it but they feel I should. I have filed a complaint with the BBB, FCC and the Texas Public Utilities Commission. This company should be sued for every dime they make. I will continue to post updates to this report.
Forgot a few things
#50
Fri, November 30, 2001
They have the worst customer service. It takes hours to get through. I have sent 8 or 9 emails and have not had one responce. I have noticed I am not the only one with this problem. I am going to contact an atrorney and try to get a class action law suit filed against MCI. In the meantime every one should contact your state public utilities commission or PUC. Once a complaint has been filed MCI will have 48 hours to respond to your complaint or face daily fines and fees. My email is mamiller4040xo@aol.com. PLease if you have questions or suggestions send them. I work in IT BILLING for a large CLEC, so I do have a little knowledge of legal rights reguarding Telecom laws.
#50
Fri, November 30, 2001