MCI WorldCom unusually high bills, false advertising ripoff *UPDATE
When I moved from Jackson, Tennessee, in August 2000, MCI/WorldCom came with me as my long distance carrier although I did not invite them. The company announced that through several letters and their new calling cards for both my phones. However, when their bill came through BellSouth, I was astounded. MCI came with me, but the company discarded its long-distance plans that I had subscribed to--charging me at its highest rates.
I was billed 196 dollars for a 53-minute call to Bangladesh when I was supposed to be charged 55 cents per minute. Even insterstate calls were billed at the maximum at 25 to 30 cents per minute, while my MCI plan stipulated 5 cents per minute during nites and weekends and 7 cents during day time.
Upon finding what MCI had charged I called its customer service, and I was flat out told that I would not get any adjustment. I asked for a supervisor and was told I could not speak to one, so I called back a few days later and was given a Fax number to ask for an adjustment.
Anyway, I did not hear from MCI until I called it in December. Then, I was told I was given a credit for 346 dollars. I asked for a letter to confirm that, and I got two of them to confirm the adjustments. However, BellSouth kept billing that amount. Eventually, last month BellSouth told me, after a three-way call with MCI and myself that BellSouth had given me the credit for the disputed amount in October. However, the BellSouth representative pointed out that MCI had given me credit until September 2000 but had charged the high rates through October for which I had not gotten any adjustment.
Accordingly, I called MCI and spoke to its customer service and I was told no dice, so I asked to speak to her supervisor. With great reluctance, I was transferred to a woman--who claimed to be the supervisor. This supervisor told me that I would not get any adjustment whatsoever. The earlier credit was allowed as a courtesy. More importantly, my claim is over three-months old. MCI does not deal with such claims. I said you have a precedence of MCI allowing me an adjustment for overcharging me exhorbitant rates. However, I was told by the supervisor in so many words to go fly a kite because I would not receive any further adjustments.
I feel that MCI should give me its final adjustment. MCI must not arbirtraily discontinue the plans of customers without advising them. It seems like that is usual for MCI to do so, preying on customers who feel that they are still on the special plans--making calls as usual and getting whacked with unusually high bills.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
#20
Mon, November 19, 2001
I would agree with the currently posted complaint about Worldcom Wireless, an MCI communications company. In 58 years of life, I have NEVER had such an experience with a company. I will carry a roll of quarters before I will ever have a cellular contract anywhere again.
I think I finally have my account closed. My contract expired September 16 this year. I was instructed that in order to cancel my contract, I must call on exactly that day. So, I did. It was a Sunday, and their customer service was closed.
The svc is frequently on call overload and extends recorded requests to call back another time. Finally, I got ahold of the company, September 22. However, I will be charged for 5 days of service even though I have a letter saying that the contract could not be extended unless I expressly requested it. The service for those days was billed to me at $9.73, though, I have a limited service plan at $16.99/month and had not used the phone for more than a month.
Though, it won't apply to me, I hope, the supposed final bill I received notifies all customers that billings will be accelerated so that now they will arrive every 3 weeks. The company cautions that recently made payments may not be posted due to timing. However, all payments will be due on receipt of the invoice. How's that? This is not to mention the fact that
since last Spring the billing has been disrupted with billings for 3 months at a time, and then subsequent statements that reshow the same 3 months, you think maybe. They are undecipherable, and cust svc can't explain them either.
I will say this has been the worst experience I have had to date with any company. If it turns out that I have, in fact not received my final bill and that my account has not been closed, then, that will be billed as my worst experience with a company.
anne avery