Silv Communications, Billed By USBI SLAMMED, voice edited and SCAMMED by this company! Complete Fraud - BEWARE! Los Angeles, California

I received a call from a man claiming to be Verizon, offering me a substantial discount on my business long distance. Funny, he didn't know all of my current phone numbers: strike one.

I repeatedly asked him if he was from Verizon and he said "trust me, I am from Verizon and I'm calling to save you money" -- high-pressure, so that was strike two. I decided to entertain myself by hearing him out.

I told him emphatically that I did NOT want my long distance provider to change, that I wanted no changes made to my account. He asked me a few questions, such as my name, and if I wanted to save money on my long distance. I said "yes, of course, but again I DO NOT want any changes made to my account." He assured me again ("trust me") that no changes would be made. Strike 3, good bye.

Fast forward 2 months and I receive a bill with two full months of charges from these companies. I was livid, so I called today to find out how this happened. I was told that somebody with my name had authorized the switch. She then proceeded to play a recording to me, supposedly of the conversation of two months ago.

Here's the kicker that sent me over the top: indeed I did hear my voice say "Yes": about 12 times, to all kinds of terms and conditions which were never read to me. The recording was OBVIOUSLY copied, cut, pasted, and dubbed using my voice, and the "Yes" I heard over and over and over was the same exact "Yes" simply inserted at the appropriate points. I was beside myself!

I accused them of fraud, and threatened legal action only to be transferred to the "supervisor" named Laura (x100) who told me that if I pursue legal action the charges will not be reversed. I told her to reverse the charges immediately, she agreed, and I hung up, fuming.

I've seen my share of fraud and scams in my day, but this takes the cake. It's insulting to me and it's insulting to the phone industry. And there's nothing like hearing your voice edited to say something you've never actually said. Did I mention I am LIVID?!?

Michael
Monroe, New Jersey
U.S.A.