- Report: #1111984
Complaint Review: Securus - Internet
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Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Securus
Internet, USA
Web:
www.securustech.net
Categories:
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Securus Securus Technologies, Correctional Billing Services and others Falsely stating that people can control spending on phone calls Internet
Securus provide expensive prepaid services for inmates. They claim on their website that customers can control the cost. With PREPAID accounts they are allowing the call to go through but not stopping the call when the prepayment is used up. They allow the call to continue without notifying either side that the money is spent, then start to harass the person who set up the account by claiming they are in debt. They don't (and won't) send statements and it is impossible to tell when the prepayment funds run out during a call. They don't even notify at the start of a call what funds are available.
The calls to the customer ask them to phone a stated number.
The "customer sertvice" people on that number refuse to discuss the situation, will not pass the call to accounts, and state there is no supervisor available to whom the call can be passed. Basically, their customer service in this respect is non existent. I am surprised the FCC permits a company to operate that has no employee supervision in this respect.
Requests for them to close the account are met with the statement that it is in debt, so can't be closed, and they refuse to accept that prepaid calls are only contracted for until the prepayment is used up. The system is deliberately designed to place people into debt, yet they dishonestly and clearly state that the customer is on control of the spending.
The company are not fit to hold any form of communications license and anyone else who has had this problem should complain to the FCC about their excessive prices ($4 connection fee to Harris Co Tx!) and lack of standards.
For those who think it desn't matter, they are inmmates, just remember that many people in county jail are pre trial and are innocent. When they are at their lowest they are being ripped off by a company who is dishonest in their web statements about controlling costs.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
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Texas,Completely missed the point
#2Author of original report
Wed, January 01, 2014
The complaint was about the fact that Securus give no warning either to the inmate or the person they call that the prepaid time was exceeded. If Securus wish to give free phone time that is their right, but they do not have the right or agreement to exceed the prepaid call time paid for by the customer and then claim the person is in debt.
I will not even bother to cover the rantings about what inmates should or should not do, but without a watch and with no notification of the time left, it is pretty difficult to time a call. At something like $5 for a 2 minute phone call, even keeping a conversation to critical information can easily exceed prepaid time and create debt. People charged with a crime can be in county for months if they can't afford the bail.
Tyg
Pahrump,Nevada,
No...
#3General Comment
Wed, January 01, 2014
No its not that we shouldnt think about inmates. Its that they are incarcerated and have VERY limited communication. As such, they cant go top up thier time. That would be on the person who setup the account. You can probably check the website and find this information out daily. But the incarcerated CANNOT!! There is always good ole fashion leters. Other then general lonliness and needing to talk to a freindly voice, they dont NEED to make calls. All of the issues where a inmate needs to communicate SHOULD be done by the person in charge on the outside.
Yes its not right and its not fair, but its NOT illegal. That is the cost one has to pay if they wish the LUXURY of verbal telephonic communication. And make NO MISTAKE, it is a luxury. It is NOT a "right". Thats why they give you ONE phone call when you are arrested. So you can contact someone to handle your affairs while you are jailed.
And they are RIGHT when they suggest that its a controlable cost. You dont NEED to talk with ppl everyday. If they want to make a call, I would suggest that the inmate use their PREPAID time sparingly. Keep it short and simple and dont waste time with the usual verbal banter. The inmates situation really will not have changed. Yup still in jail, carry on. So the costs ARE controlable. Just not using the phone IS control.
