INTEGRETEL, Intelicom Messaging RIPOFF $12.95 charge for 1X setup fee for messaging service. PLANTATION Florida

July phone bill contained 12.95 charge from Integretel for 1X setup fee for messaging service. Requested explanation via web site on August 6 (site indicated response within 1 - 3 days). Still no response on August 12 via e-mail--so much for customer service.

Called on August 10. Individual said my wife had filled out a survey. I searched the web and found this: "Intelicom Messaging- Would you like to receive a $500 FREE Shopping Spree and free voice mail for 30 days?" How can this be free if they charge a 12.95 non-refundable setup fee?

Instructions per Integretelmessaging web site:
"I just signed up to the service. How do I start using it? It's Simple. Just call the toll free number given to you. You will be guided by a series of easy-to follow directions on how to set up your private voice mailbox. Once set-up is complete, you can start using your own private voice mailbox immediately."

Apparently, they provide an 800 number for people to call and leave messages for you and then send a message to your e-mail address. Once activated, they charge you 14.95 a month.

Why on earth would a legitimate company charge a setup fee for something that has not been activated and never will be. I wonder how many other people have been ripped off and don't realize it because they don't look at their phone bill.

What authority do they have to charge these ripoffs to your phone bill?

This company needs to be STOPPED. Do they really provide any service or do they just ripoff people and spend all their time answering inquiries as to the charges being billed?

John
Indianapolis, Indiana
U.S.A.