I just got my AT&T bill today and I am steamed. When I went over the bill, I noticed an unauthorized charge of $49.95 from a company I have never heard of, called USABD Internet Solutions. I immediately contacted the company and was informed that my husband had supposedly authorized their internet services and they would send me an audio confirming the transaction (yeah, right!). When I informed them that I do all of the authorizing of advertisting services for our business, they insisted that it was my husband that had done so in this case.
I then informed USABD's representative that I had looked them up the internet before calling and discovered a large number of consumer complaints filed against them for consumer fraud. They, of course, indicated they were a legitimate company with many happy customers. When I insisted they cancel the service, I was given a confirmation number (probably phony) and was told that within minutes I would receive an email with a copy of the audio of my husband's voice authorizing the service (so far, no email - go figure!). They also indicated that it would take a couple of billing cycles for the charge to be removed from future bills.
When I got off the phone with USABD, I contacted AT&T, who was completely indifferent to my dilemma and unable to satisfactorily explain to me how a fraudulent company can attach its phony charges to my AT&T bill. They said they cannot block or control 3rd party billing on my account (great!). They also said they have never heard of USABD. After a lengthy discussion, they did agree to remove the charge from my bill and gave me a reference number for future problems, i.e. if the charge shows up again. Will have to wait until next month to see what happens.
Tip of the day: Always go over your bills and examine all charges before paying them. There are scam artists everywhere.
Ep
Healdsburg, California
U.S.A.