Complaint Review: Orbit Telecom

My phone bill was having > than $15 a month than I expected to pay. In examining by bill from Bell South I noticed page titled EBIS, or Enhanced Billing Services, third party billing. I was unaware and unfamiliar with this and knew I had not signed up for a voice mail service and had never heard of the company listed as the provider, Orbit Telecom.

I contacted the Bell South Customer Serviced and it was explained to me that Bell South did not require direct contact with their customers to add third party billing to customers bills. Apparently they contract with these companies, Orbit Telecom, USBI... and bill they customers whenever these companies tell them a customer signed up for a service or made long distances phone calls, even it the customer did not.

Bell South informed me I had been a victim of cramming and that I needed to contact the comapany and the FTC, the FCC and the Georgia Attorney General. I have done everthing thing Bell South instructed me to do.
When I called the 1-800 number provided by Bell South for Orbit Telecom, "Basil" took my call. He informed me that it would take 7 business days to credt my bell south account back for the charges they took for the voice mail service, but that the $13.95 set up fee would not be returned. He explained that the set up fee was non refundable.

My question, How can you charge me for something that I did not sign up for? He explained that according to their records, I signed up for the service and they had my email address. I replied that no, I did not, as I had never heard of Orbit Telecom, and explained that I was reporting Orbit Telcom for cramming to the Georiga Attorney General, the FCC and the FTC.

Basil informed me it would take 7 business days to credit my bell south account. I checked my bill online and as of today they have credited my account the monies they took from me for the bogus voice mail charges. It amazes me that bell south and the law allows this. According to bell south each customer has to request a block of third party billing on you phone service. This is ridiculous.
But I am happy that Orbit Telcom did the right thing by at least crediting my account. Why would anyone sign up for voice mail service at $15.95 a month when you can get it from bell south for $3.95 a month?

Michelle
Adairsville, Georgia
U.S.A.