So I spent quality time on the phone with Verizon the other day tracking down the source of a couple of suspicious charges. When all I got in response were 888 and 866 numbers to call for more information, I become certain that some fraud was afoot. The first of these charges was American eVoice (billed as "Enhanced Services Billing Inc."), who was nice enough about it, but not apologetic at all. In fact, I suspect that counting on people not calling is their entire business model. Looking through my Junk/Spam folder, I found this communication:
Dear Brian Fending,
Thank you for selecting American eVoice as your Voicemail Service Provider.
To begin using the service you will need the following information:
Your 800 number: 888xxxxxxx
Your Personal Mailbox number: xxxxxxx
Your PIN xxxxxxxxxxTo start using your voice mail service simply dial your 800 number and follow the instructions. It is recommended you change your PIN upon first using the Voice Mail service for your security. The voice mail service is designed to allow friends, family and business associates to leave you messages 24-hours a day, seven days a week by dialing your Voice (800) number and entering your personal mailbox code. The service allows you unlimited messages and the calls are toll free for you and everyone else. There is no contract and the service can be cancelled at anytime. Simply give out your private (800) number and your personal mailbox number to those individuals you wish to leave you messages. When they want to leave a message they dial the (800) number and enter your mailbox number. The system plays your personal greeting and leads them through the process of leaving a message. At the completion of the message we will save the message and immediately notify you through email that you have a message. You can also call your 800 number and the system will tell you that you have a voice mail. You can retrieve and listen to your messages in two ways; by dialing into the system using the (800) number or by logging onto the website by simply clicking on Account Management Console.
The monthly service fee is $14.95 per month and will be billed automatically by American eVoice, to your monthly telephone bill each month thereafter on the anniversary date until you cancel your service.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Customer Service Division at 866-576-1875 or you can write us at Processing Center 2120 S Reserve St. PMB 239 Missoula, MT 59801. You can receive information about your account, process changes and / or manage your mailbox from any PC with an Internet connection by logging onto our website by simply clicking on Account Management Console.
Again, thank you for selecting American eVoice and we look forward to serving you.
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Customer Service
American eVoice
I never, ever signed up for this service. But the notion that I did apparently entitled them to start billing me $14.95/month through Verizon. That's it. Just a webform that somebody somewhere filled out with my information, probably with the financial incentive of a referral program, and CHA-CHING! instant cash. The practice is known as Cramming.
When I called American eVoice to dispute the charges, I was promised a refund of all money in the form of credits to be issued through Verizon. I then called Verizon to inform them of the status of my claim, the expected results, and enrolled in what's called a "Cramming Block" to prevent this (and collect calls, but I'm willing to accept that loss of functionality) from happening again. If you haven't contacted your phone company to opt into this free service, DO IT NOW. It's totally worth the five minutes it will take.
Comments
Yes, I got the full refund.
There were two perpetrators in my case and I had to call them individually. American EVoice went very smoothly - BBB might not be the call to make, though - read on... With the latter of my scammers (not AEv), they REALLY didn't want to refund very much at all and thennnnn I mentioned some important words: "Attorney General's Office". A supervisor was consulted, and they made the exception - full refund. I would advise a phone call where you carefully word things, speak slowly, have dates and changes in hand, and really threaten to rain down fire on them. In the nicest way possible. :)
American Evoice
Yes, I called up and located the drain on my wallet, and I was told I would get a full refund, too, but I just got a check for HALF of what I was charged--without my knowledge or acquiesence. When I called just now, I was told to write, FAX, or email the Processing Ctr. in Missoula, MT, to GET THE REST OF MY REFUND!!!
This is a huge scam. I am a senior citizen, who just got screwed! I am mad as hell. You know that they are going to withhold my $45 more because they would have sent it to begin with, otherwise. What a theft!
I got the block on my Verizon acct, but American eVoice is getting away with robbery of all the other millions who don't notice this charge on their bill.
I am going to report this to the BBB, for sure, and plan to contact Seven on your Side if I don't get the rest of my refund back.
Have you contacted BBB? Good luck with getting your entire amount refunded to you.