ESBI Charges
Amazon63
Newbie

Is anyone else getting charges on their landline for something from ESBI.  According to the statement it is for Billing of behalf of Conference call services and the plan is a 1 email a day monthly service fee.  This is ridiculous, all I want from my land line is local calling with caller ID and I can't even get them to do that right!  HELP!!!

0 Likes
Re: ESBI Charges
acraftylady
Specialist - Level 2

Seems to be lots of complaints about this.  Hope you get it solved.  Had a similar problem once and what a pain.    Mary

0 Likes
Re: ESP. Charges or OAN charges
BMKM
Enthusiast - Level 1

@Amazon63 wrote:

Is anyone else getting charges on their landline for something from ESBI.  According to the statement it is for Billing of behalf of Conference call services and the plan is a 1 email a day monthly service fee.  This is ridiculous, all I want from my land line is local calling with caller ID and I can't even get them to do that right!  HELP!!!


I did not get hit with any changes from ESBI, but got caught by another similar company (OAN) for V-mail services that I did not sign-up for.  I just read an article in the May/June AARP magazine and the practice is called Cramming, which means sneaking unauthorized charges on your phone bill. 

@First thing the AARP article recommended was to call Verizon (1-800-837-4966) and ask Verizon to put a block on all third-party charges.  This prevents unauthorized charges from being added to your bill from Third Parties.  This includes.all third-parties, ESBI, OAN and any others.  Verizon put the block on - no questions asked.  Also call ESBI and cancel the service and try to get some of your money refunded.  Within my on-line Verizon bill the number for OAN was included on my bill along with the number from the company providing the V-Mail service (Supreme Savings).   Last, I'm going to file a complaint with the FTC @ ftccomplaintassistant.gov. 

The Verizon rep also recommended not providing your phone number when signing-up for anything on the Web or via the mail as another precaution. 

Hope this helps and good luck !!

Re: ESP. Charges or OAN charges
Justin46
Legend

Here is a link to an older thread here with more information on this problem:

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/Home-Phone-Landline-or-Digital/ESBI-Charges/m-p/8199

Buried several posts in is a link to a complaint form you can fill out and submit to the FTC. The links are still active so I presume the FTC still looks at this.

The advice previously given about putting a block on your phone is a very good one and should work. But we need to get these slimy companies put out of business.

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
QIP6416-P1, IMG 1.7.1, Build 09.97
Keller, TX 76248

0 Likes
Re: ESP. Charges or OAN charges
Cyberhez
Newbie

BMKM, Thanks for detailing what you did. Here's what I'm doing:

First, I called OAN's number on my bill right as soon as I saw the charge.  It connected me directly to a company that identified themselves as A Digital Village (but I think it's really deceptive that it's detailed on my bill as "GE Exchange").  A Digital Village disconnected me a few seconds later, but then I called the number on my bill for GE Exchange and got right through.  I spoke to a rep who said her name was Heather.  I told her that this was an unauthorized charge and she said they would remove it - I should see the credit on my June bill.

After reading your message and several others, I also plan to call Verizon and ask for a block on all third party billing.

I'm a thirtysomething and we're being told to go green and paperless and I am so happy I do my own thing.  Had I gone to e-billing, I would know I would have gotten lazy and stopped reading my billing emails - I'd have completely missed this!

Who knew AARP would come to the rescue of some Thirtysomethings, too!!  (I am so joining AARP when I am eligible.)

0 Likes