Correctional Billing Services AKA Global Tel Link Not all inmates are criminals, former Riverside Police Officer being accused of threating behavior by B****H of an x-wife Salem Alabama

I'm sending this anonymously, I don't want any part of this, just thought I'd share what a friend(ex employee) told me was going on there before he and roughly 80% of the staff were fired by Schlumberger.

In a nutshell.....

Global Tel*Link was started by G.Dan Wiley(a Mobile, AL politician if I remember right). They sold the company to Schlumberger Technologies Inc.. What Schlumberger didn't know was that Global had their MIS department *tweek* the validation software to add random seconds to telephone calls. A 'second' here and there doesn't seem like much, but when you validate roughly anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000 inmate calls a day...it adds up quick;). Well, the sh*t hit the fan after Schlumberger purchased Global. The Louisiana Department of Corrections went after them in 1997 to the tune of $12 million. Price Waterhouse did the audit on Global. I'm not sure what the outcome was. But Don't take my word on it, see for yourself:

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=11th&navby=case&no=956138opa

I live in Virginia. My fiance is in Hampton Roads Regional Jail. I get prepaid calls sent to my cell phone. I pay using money gram express payment. Money gram charges an $8.95 fee. His calls are $1.00 each.

Usually I will put about $60 on the prepay account. Everything was ok until recently I noticed each time he calls more than $1.00 is being subtracted from the prepay account. I was NOT informed of any additional charges. The extra amount being taken out is usually $0.50 and up! The company representatives are just saying the phone calls are subject to additional charges! I already pay a fee just for him to call ($8.95 money gram fee).

In addition to that my calls are cut short by a minute or more on any given call. His calls are 15minutes. They have been cut off by 7,13, and 14 minutes resulting in him having to call back. I don't get billed so I have no way of knowing the exact days in which the error occured.

As of today 3/25/07 Global tel link has yet again ripped me off of $20 after I had just put $75 on my prepay account. Their systems are down and they have no way of verifying my payment against the reciept number I have. So now my finace cannot call until I am able to put more money on the account.

I hope Ana is able to get something started because I will be willing to help anyway I can. My fiance has not even been to trial yet but he is denied phone calls on a regular basis.

Something needs to be done about this monopoly of a company.

Shana
Hampton Rds, Virginia

I have noticed that there are one minute calls that I am billed during hours that I am clearly at work, and am not here to accept the charges. In addition I am a universal life line user and
Pursuant to Resolution T-16901, all telecommunications carriers are required to apply CPUC mandated Public Program surcharge rates (excluding (1) Universal Lifeline Telephone Service , which I can prove that I have.

I understand that the terms of payment shall be according to the rules, regulations, and laws of the State of California. This precisely why I am making my objection to billed charges and reporting them in writing to Global Tel Link within sixty (60) days after receipt of my bill.

I checked on the address for billing disputes and the rep. Gave me the wrong address to send my dispute to, maybe in hopes of me passing the 60 day limit, she gave me P O Box 1010 Selma, PA 36702, when in all actuality it is the above referenced addresses. I am only to conclude that the representative willfully gave me a address that would lead me in the wrong direction. Since under your Rule 2.0 Number 10 it gives another address for handling disputes.

I dispute anything 10 min and under, these calls are dropped so that the person has to call back resulting in another charge. Service may be cancelled by the Customer by providing verbal or written Notice to the Company, which I elect to do now, for violations associated with the tariff's and the violations and fraudulent use of this service. Under your Rule 2.0 Number 14, states that Credit allowance for interruptions of service which are not due to Carrier's testing or adjusting, to the negligence of the Customer, or to the failure of channels, equipment or communications system provided by Customer, are subject to the general liability provisions set forth in Rule No. 18, herein. It shall be the obligation of the Customer to notify the Carrier of any interruptions in service. Before giving such notice, Customer shall ascertain that the trouble is not being caused by any action or omission of Customer, not within his control, or is not in wiring or equipment connected to the terminal of Carrier. I have made several calls, checked the lines, called my carrier and there is no reason for the dropped calls, the calls are to a land line , and I have made all injures in a timely fashion to your company advising them of the problem.

However you fail to post Rule Number 18 on your web site. I would also like clarification as to pre-paid use, there is very little associated with it on your website. Which I find disturbing, since most consumer use the pre-paid method and are not told of the connection surcharges associated with it's use. In all actuality , the user pays 50.00 minimum fee, but other associated fees which are not disclosed to the consumer are then taken out leaving a very small balance for actual phone use.

In addition the representative states that there is a minimum of 50.00 for the use of service, but according to your website the minimum payment to begin service is 25.00 this is also not disclosed to the customer. The unsuspecting consumer then thinks that this is a more cost efficient way to receive calls from their loved one's when it really is not.

I can give you an example, I had 20.00 left on my card and planned to replenish once a week, however before I could do that a block was placed on the phone. I checked my balance and I had a call from the facility, it was a dropped call so immediately after getting this call I checked my balance and the dropped call left me with a balance of 7.00 dollars , it took 13.00 off my pre-paid account which never put back. Global Tel Link is supposed to provide you with a rate of the accepted call , and your website states that most billing rates are provided during the introduction of the attempted collect call. If the rate is not offered, contact the Billing and Customer Service Department, however the consumer does not know this until after the outrageous calls come in and customer service does not provide this information voluntarily when the consumer begins using their service.
I am willing to pay the money I owe, but I want my account seriously looked into , I happen to know there are at least fifteen others that have had the exact same problem, I am sure that with all the people out there it will not be hard to file a class action law suit. I am very serious about this matter. I look forward to hearing from you within 10 days. If I do not get some action on this then I will use whatever remedies that are available to me in handling this dispute.

PS I work as a Paralegal so I am not unfamiliar with filing suit class Action or otherwise

I have noticed that there are one minute calls that I am billed during hours that I am clearly at work, and am not here to accept the charges. In addition I am a universal life line user and
Pursuant to Resolution T-16901, all telecommunications carriers are required to apply CPUC mandated Public Program surcharge rates (excluding (1) Universal Lifeline Telephone Service , which I can prove that I have.

I understand that the terms of payment shall be according to the rules, regulations, and laws of the State of California. This precisely why I am making my objection to billed charges and reporting them in writing to Global Tel Link within sixty (60) days after receipt of my bill.

I checked on the address for billing disputes and the rep. Gave me the wrong address to send my dispute to, maybe in hopes of me passing the 60 day limit, she gave me P O Box 1010 Selma, PA 36702, when in all actuality it is the above referenced addresses. I am only to conclude that the representative willfully gave me a address that would lead me in the wrong direction. Since under your Rule 2.0 Number 10 it gives another address for handling disputes.

I dispute anything 10 min and under, these calls are dropped so that the person has to call back resulting in another charge. Service may be cancelled by the Customer by providing verbal or written Notice to the Company, which I elect to do now, for violations associated with the tariff's and the violations and fraudulent use of this service. Under your Rule 2.0 Number 14, states that Credit allowance for interruptions of service which are not due to Carrier's testing or adjusting, to the negligence of the Customer, or to the failure of channels, equipment or communications system provided by Customer, are subject to the general liability provisions set forth in Rule No. 18, herein. It shall be the obligation of the Customer to notify the Carrier of any interruptions in service. Before giving such notice, Customer shall ascertain that the trouble is not being caused by any action or omission of Customer, not within his control, or is not in wiring or equipment connected to the terminal of Carrier. I have made several calls, checked the lines, called my carrier and there is no reason for the dropped calls, the calls are to a land line , and I have made all injures in a timely fashion to your company advising them of the problem.

However you fail to post Rule Number 18 on your web site. I would also like clarification as to pre-paid use, there is very little associated with it on your website. Which I find disturbing, since most consumer use the pre-paid method and are not told of the connection surcharges associated with it's use. In all actuality , the user pays 50.00 minimum fee, but other associated fees which are not disclosed to the consumer are then taken out leaving a very small balance for actual phone use.

In addition the representative states that there is a minimum of 50.00 for the use of service, but according to your website the minimum payment to begin service is 25.00 this is also not disclosed to the customer. The unsuspecting consumer then thinks that this is a more cost efficient way to receive calls from their loved one's when it really is not.

I can give you an example, I had 20.00 left on my card and planned to replenish once a week, however before I could do that a block was placed on the phone. I checked my balance and I had a call from the facility, it was a dropped call so immediately after getting this call I checked my balance and the dropped call left me with a balance of 7.00 dollars , it took 13.00 off my pre-paid account which never put back. Global Tel Link is supposed to provide you with a rate of the accepted call , and your website states that most billing rates are provided during the introduction of the attempted collect call. If the rate is not offered, contact the Billing and Customer Service Department, however the consumer does not know this until after the outrageous calls come in and customer service does not provide this information voluntarily when the consumer begins using their service.
I am willing to pay the money I owe, but I want my account seriously looked into , I happen to know there are at least fifteen others that have had the exact same problem, I am sure that with all the people out there it will not be hard to file a class action law suit. I am very serious about this matter. I look forward to hearing from you within 10 days. If I do not get some action on this then I will use whatever remedies that are available to me in handling this dispute.

PS I work as a Paralegal so I am not unfamiliar with filing suit class Action or otherwise

I have noticed that there are one minute calls that I am billed during hours that I am clearly at work, and am not here to accept the charges. In addition I am a universal life line user and
Pursuant to Resolution T-16901, all telecommunications carriers are required to apply CPUC mandated Public Program surcharge rates (excluding (1) Universal Lifeline Telephone Service , which I can prove that I have.

I understand that the terms of payment shall be according to the rules, regulations, and laws of the State of California. This precisely why I am making my objection to billed charges and reporting them in writing to Global Tel Link within sixty (60) days after receipt of my bill.

I checked on the address for billing disputes and the rep. Gave me the wrong address to send my dispute to, maybe in hopes of me passing the 60 day limit, she gave me P O Box 1010 Selma, PA 36702, when in all actuality it is the above referenced addresses. I am only to conclude that the representative willfully gave me a address that would lead me in the wrong direction. Since under your Rule 2.0 Number 10 it gives another address for handling disputes.

I dispute anything 10 min and under, these calls are dropped so that the person has to call back resulting in another charge. Service may be cancelled by the Customer by providing verbal or written Notice to the Company, which I elect to do now, for violations associated with the tariff's and the violations and fraudulent use of this service. Under your Rule 2.0 Number 14, states that Credit allowance for interruptions of service which are not due to Carrier's testing or adjusting, to the negligence of the Customer, or to the failure of channels, equipment or communications system provided by Customer, are subject to the general liability provisions set forth in Rule No. 18, herein. It shall be the obligation of the Customer to notify the Carrier of any interruptions in service. Before giving such notice, Customer shall ascertain that the trouble is not being caused by any action or omission of Customer, not within his control, or is not in wiring or equipment connected to the terminal of Carrier. I have made several calls, checked the lines, called my carrier and there is no reason for the dropped calls, the calls are to a land line , and I have made all injures in a timely fashion to your company advising them of the problem.

However you fail to post Rule Number 18 on your web site. I would also like clarification as to pre-paid use, there is very little associated with it on your website. Which I find disturbing, since most consumer use the pre-paid method and are not told of the connection surcharges associated with it's use. In all actuality , the user pays 50.00 minimum fee, but other associated fees which are not disclosed to the consumer are then taken out leaving a very small balance for actual phone use.

In addition the representative states that there is a minimum of 50.00 for the use of service, but according to your website the minimum payment to begin service is 25.00 this is also not disclosed to the customer. The unsuspecting consumer then thinks that this is a more cost efficient way to receive calls from their loved one's when it really is not.

I can give you an example, I had 20.00 left on my card and planned to replenish once a week, however before I could do that a block was placed on the phone. I checked my balance and I had a call from the facility, it was a dropped call so immediately after getting this call I checked my balance and the dropped call left me with a balance of 7.00 dollars , it took 13.00 off my pre-paid account which never put back. Global Tel Link is supposed to provide you with a rate of the accepted call , and your website states that most billing rates are provided during the introduction of the attempted collect call. If the rate is not offered, contact the Billing and Customer Service Department, however the consumer does not know this until after the outrageous calls come in and customer service does not provide this information voluntarily when the consumer begins using their service.
I am willing to pay the money I owe, but I want my account seriously looked into , I happen to know there are at least fifteen others that have had the exact same problem, I am sure that with all the people out there it will not be hard to file a class action law suit. I am very serious about this matter. I look forward to hearing from you within 10 days. If I do not get some action on this then I will use whatever remedies that are available to me in handling this dispute.

PS I work as a Paralegal so I am not unfamiliar with filing suit class Action or otherwise

I have noticed that there are one minute calls that I am billed during hours that I am clearly at work, and am not here to accept the charges. In addition I am a universal life line user and
Pursuant to Resolution T-16901, all telecommunications carriers are required to apply CPUC mandated Public Program surcharge rates (excluding (1) Universal Lifeline Telephone Service , which I can prove that I have.

I understand that the terms of payment shall be according to the rules, regulations, and laws of the State of California. This precisely why I am making my objection to billed charges and reporting them in writing to Global Tel Link within sixty (60) days after receipt of my bill.

I checked on the address for billing disputes and the rep. Gave me the wrong address to send my dispute to, maybe in hopes of me passing the 60 day limit, she gave me P O Box 1010 Selma, PA 36702, when in all actuality it is the above referenced addresses. I am only to conclude that the representative willfully gave me a address that would lead me in the wrong direction. Since under your Rule 2.0 Number 10 it gives another address for handling disputes.

I dispute anything 10 min and under, these calls are dropped so that the person has to call back resulting in another charge. Service may be cancelled by the Customer by providing verbal or written Notice to the Company, which I elect to do now, for violations associated with the tariff's and the violations and fraudulent use of this service. Under your Rule 2.0 Number 14, states that Credit allowance for interruptions of service which are not due to Carrier's testing or adjusting, to the negligence of the Customer, or to the failure of channels, equipment or communications system provided by Customer, are subject to the general liability provisions set forth in Rule No. 18, herein. It shall be the obligation of the Customer to notify the Carrier of any interruptions in service. Before giving such notice, Customer shall ascertain that the trouble is not being caused by any action or omission of Customer, not within his control, or is not in wiring or equipment connected to the terminal of Carrier. I have made several calls, checked the lines, called my carrier and there is no reason for the dropped calls, the calls are to a land line , and I have made all injures in a timely fashion to your company advising them of the problem.

However you fail to post Rule Number 18 on your web site. I would also like clarification as to pre-paid use, there is very little associated with it on your website. Which I find disturbing, since most consumer use the pre-paid method and are not told of the connection surcharges associated with it's use. In all actuality , the user pays 50.00 minimum fee, but other associated fees which are not disclosed to the consumer are then taken out leaving a very small balance for actual phone use.

In addition the representative states that there is a minimum of 50.00 for the use of service, but according to your website the minimum payment to begin service is 25.00 this is also not disclosed to the customer. The unsuspecting consumer then thinks that this is a more cost efficient way to receive calls from their loved one's when it really is not.

I can give you an example, I had 20.00 left on my card and planned to replenish once a week, however before I could do that a block was placed on the phone. I checked my balance and I had a call from the facility, it was a dropped call so immediately after getting this call I checked my balance and the dropped call left me with a balance of 7.00 dollars , it took 13.00 off my pre-paid account which never put back. Global Tel Link is supposed to provide you with a rate of the accepted call , and your website states that most billing rates are provided during the introduction of the attempted collect call. If the rate is not offered, contact the Billing and Customer Service Department, however the consumer does not know this until after the outrageous calls come in and customer service does not provide this information voluntarily when the consumer begins using their service.
I am willing to pay the money I owe, but I want my account seriously looked into , I happen to know there are at least fifteen others that have had the exact same problem, I am sure that with all the people out there it will not be hard to file a class action law suit. I am very serious about this matter. I look forward to hearing from you within 10 days. If I do not get some action on this then I will use whatever remedies that are available to me in handling this dispute.

PS I work as a Paralegal so I am not unfamiliar with filing suit class Action or otherwise