Bbg Communications FRAUD Outrageous Fees for pay phone call in Bahamas ripoff San Diego California

BBG Communications charges ridiculously exorbitant fees to take advantage of travelers using their credit cards at pay phones throughout the world. The fact that this company is even operating is unbelievable.

It happened to my daughter and this is what we did:

1). Called the credit card company. In our case, it was unfortunately a debit card where the $ was taken from her acct within hours of the calls. Bank of America suggested filing a dispute; the agent recognized BBG immediately, saying she'd filed several similar disputes. Bank of America got a 3 way conversation going between BBG, B of A and my daughter. BBG explained the charges were: $15 to connect $5.99 per minute w/ a 5 min minimum = $45 for one minute. My daughter explained the operator said it would be $10, and she'd never have agreed to pay $45 for one min. BBG said by providing her cc #, she in effect agreed to their rates. They can't post their rates because they are always changing. Ultimately, she was provided with a 40% credit, the max their "computers will allow". So, the 2 calls ended up costing her $25 each, still way too much.

2). Called BBG Communications in San Diego. Their # is (619) 661-6661. The receptionist will tell you to call (800) 576-2118 about their billing charges. There you will speak to a variety of representatives whose job I would never want. They must deal w/ irate people all day long. I spoke with Raymond Fisher (not helpful nor understanding) and his supervisor "Mark Jones" (neither was he). They said 40% is the most they can refund. Any more must come from Neomi Olmos at BBG.

3.) Emailed Neomi Olmos noemi@bbgcomm.com She replied the following day giving me her direct line USA +619 671 0199. I called and spoke with her but she needed my daughter's cc # and I needed to call her back with it. When I returned her call I got her voicemail and after 48 hrs, 5 messages and 3 emails, she has not returned my call. They will say she's "out to lunch" and when you call back in an hour she's left for the day.

4.) Called the San Diego City Council. BBG is located in District 8, Councilman Benjamin Hueso's district (619) 236-6688 benhueso@sandiego.gov. I was sure he would want to know about a company located in his district who is making a bad name for the wonderful city of San Diego around the world. (The cc statement simply says, "BBG Communications San Diego" as if San Diego is part of their name). He suggested I call the San Diego BBB.

5.) THIS IS IMPORTANT. You must file a complaint with the BBB for this company to be held accountable. You can view their record online - they have an "unsatisfactory" rating and you can read why. Please at the very least do this; it's quick, painless, and you're doing the right thing!

In summary. My daughter learned a valuable lesson, and so have all of you, but that doesn't mean this company should be allowed to charge $45 per minute to unsuspecting travelers. They need to be UP FRONT about how much will be charged BEFORE it is charged. Please file a complaint! Good Luck!

sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

B
La Verne, California
U.S.A.

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!