AT&T Abuse...willful misconduct, and being grossly negligent towards the elderly and disable Chicago Illinois

At&t phone service was once the epic of all phone technology. However, today I type with teary eyes as I will elaborately describe an intentional deceptional practice by this company. I am 66 years old and disabled. My mother is 87 years  old (senior citizens) Like most parents set in his or her ways as it relates to their business and doing things the old fashion way and definitely being stern about their personal business. However, upon visiting my mother I noticed an old model modem on the floor near the table. One of the first modems. The ones that  are large and look like an electric heater from 20 years ago. So I began to question my mother about that box hooked to her phone. Lets be clear....once again my mother is 87 years old and knows nothing about wifi, internet, social media, etc.

My mother also lives in a senior facility. Asking her questions was like pulling teeth however, I was very persistent. I asked her how much was she paying for that landline phone service and she stated that she was paying approximately $160 a month for landline phone service. $40 for the modem box and approximately $120 for the phone. I then ask her how long had she been paying this money for these services...she stated that she had been paying $160 for over 2 years but she had service with this company for over 20 years. I was shocked, angry, etc. as I explained to her the rudiments of this phone service she has. But what amazed me even more is that no one from the company provided her with other options to minimize her bill. (unethical) Meaning AT&T system is the state of the art...longistically set up with information easy to understand by their employees. For instance...when I use data on my phone towards the end of the month I will get a message saying you have only so much data left and you have 7 days before the new billing cycle.

My point is that my mother is not using any data and their system shows this but AT&T continued to bill her anyway. After calling AT&T and expressing my frustations with each agent (3) I found these agents as being compassionate, respectful,  empathatic, etc. which told me that this was a job and apart of their training. I told the agents that we were canceling service and that we need a transfer pin number. This did not happen. Another barrier so my mother got a new number with a new company (community telephone) who provides only landline service and no internet. (Awesome). Back to AT&T...After once again expressing my detailed knowledge of AT&T being grossly negligent and showing willful misconduct every step of the way. Abuse and deceptive practice against the elderly and disabled I was told to dropped the modem off at the nearest UPS delivery service. (no problem).

However, upon reading my mother's bill I saw the word "DUMMY" on the invoice. Yes in caps. I was appalled. I could not believe what I was reading. I ask my mother..."What does that say"? She stated "DUMMY"   with a very sad look. I told her that it was probably an acronym describing something within their company but she wasn't buying it and she has been talking about them calling her a dummy every since and my mother also made sure I type this in her complaint. Furthermore in this area...I do believe  "DUMMY"  is a code in AT&T's system to describe certain people. So now 2 days later I get an email from AT&T informing me that I do not have to drop the modem off at UPS...I can just dispose of  it into the garbage can. I told my mother to wrapped that modem up and put it to the side. Do not dispose of that box. I'm not done with AT&T yet....in trying to come up with a fugal monthly resolution my mother purchase a phone that was suppose to be $60 tax included. Having up to 14 days for a refund.

The phone came but it would not allow my mother to transfer the phone to (Community Phone) because AT&T had the phone locked. After adding insult to injury I called AT&T and stated that we were returning the phone. Oh Oh...Let me tell you. I had to pay approximately $30 for delivery. Anyway the AT&T agent stated that it would be a $50 restocking fee. (AMAZING). She said this like saying (Good morning how are you today)? I then asked her how much would the balance be on this phone.? She then stated $199...Hmmmm....I replied...I see a pattern of deceptive practice in every area of this company. I  don't think it's  personal but it's AT&T trained way of doing business.

I research this company. Just as I thought or even more than what I thought....I found 254 complaints within this company in the last to months. Not only that...most of those complaints are similar and dealt with a majority of elderly and disabled individuals. Upon searching I also found out that AT&T is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. I hope this complaints helps someone ...Thank you for reading have a great day