Digital Vmail, Inc., MyIproduct Imail, Regional Commerce Svcs, Triple Three Inc, ESBI and OAN esbi Crammed $14.95 into my ATT bill Forest Lake, Minnesota

We thought it would be helpful to explain how the system works so hat you can hopefully remedy your phone bill situation as quickly as possible.

OAN is a division of BSG, which is a local exchange carrier (LEC) clearinghouse, not a telephone company or telephone service provider.  BSG is simply the billing clearinghouse, not the initiator of any charges.   BSG forwards charges for services provided by various long distance, operator service, and digital content providers to local phone companies such as AT&T, Verizon and Qwest to be included consumers local telephone bills. 

It is important to note that before BSG accepts a service provider as a customer, BSG subjects the service provider and its officers and directors to a comprehensive due diligence process.  This process includes extensive product review, background checks, and site visits.

• 
  flow for most services:

• Service provider markets its
  
  service to a consumer.

• Service provider must obtain
  
  consumers consent through third-party verification (TPV) recording or
  
  electronic letter of authorization (LOA).

• Service provider validates
  
  information provided in the consent to ensure charge is authorized.

• Service provider sends charge
  
  to BSG.

• BSG sends charge to
  
  appropriate phone company (because BSG holds the contract with the phone
  
  companies the charge will appear on ESBI, USBI, ZPDI, OAN, or HBS page of
  
  local telephone bill.  This is often where confusion comes in. 
  
  Consumers will note that the actual VENDOR from whom the charge is coming
  
  is typically printed right below BSG's information.)

• Phone company includes charge
  
  on appropriate consumers bill page.

• Consumer pays telephone bill.

• Phone company deducts amounts
  
  for fees, refunds, and reserves and then remits balance to BSG.

• BSG deducts amounts for fees,
  
  refunds, and reserves and then remits balance to service provider.

(Note: If the charge is for a long distance, collect call, or 1010XXX call, then the service provider will have a record of the call actually taking place on the network.  The record of the call is called a switch record.)

 While no company in any payment industry can ensure the elimination of fraud, BSG has done more to prevent fraud in the third-party billing industry than any other company.

(((Redacted)))

(800) 460-0756 for ZPDI

(800) 460-0556 for USBI

(800) 460-0078 for ESBI

(800) 604-4653 for HBS

(800) 944-9646 for ACI/OAN   

One note is that because charges billed through BSG do require valid authorization -  in only rare instances is a vendor charge found to have been made in error.  (Could be the consumer doesnt recognize the charge because it is being billed through BSG; a spouse made a charge without notifying their partner, or the consumer simply forgot).  That said, BSG is happy to help consumers clear up any questions they may have.

Warmest regards,
Leslie Ausburn for BSG Clearing