Complaint Review: OAN Operator Assistance Network

I was getting ready to pay my Verizon home line bill and noticed it was about $8 over what I normally pay. I started looking closely at my bill and found a charge for "Billed on behalf of calling 10 15 15 800.

I have never heard of this service so I called for information. In the background it sounded like a boiler room operation in a foreign country. The gist of the conversation was that I had called this number for information in Nevada. I explained that only my wife and I use the phone (no others in household) and we didn't know anyone in Nevada.

The person on the other end then told me that companies are contracting with this 10 15 15 800 number to provide directory assistance for their business if it happens to change numbers or even closes. The service automatically bills the customer $5.49 for the call and a $1.65 USF line charge EVEN if you hang up the phone immediately. There is no warning or choice as the amount is billed directly to your phone bill.

I was told that I would get a credit on my Verizon bill in one to two billing cycles. But that is only because I called and questioned it. I find this a sleazy and underhanded way to scam money out of people in these trying economic times. Actually it's wrong at any time to try this. Oh and one other thing , the charge is billed when you call a number that is not in service , even when the company that contracted for the service goes out of business !

Ski
Mineral, Virginia
U.S.A.