INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE COMMUNICATION BBG International Charged $9.16 for a $0.50 local phone call. San Ysidro, California

I made a 10 second local phone call from a payphone at a local shopping mall using my debit card. Everywhere on the phone, local calls were advertised as costing $0.50. The call went to voicemail so I hung up. I later saw that I was charged $9.16 for my 10 second phone call!

I called the customer service number for the company. The representative said that they charge credit cards in 10 minute increments and that the $0.50 charge is for coins only. I said it did not mention that anywhere on the phone nor after I inserted the credit card. He responded that I could have pressed "0" for an operator to be explained the charges. I said that it was not reasonable to expect me to know to do so as there was no indication anywhere or at any time during the call that it would cost anything other than 50 cents. He then offered to credit me $2.00. I told him that it was fine if he wanted to do so but that I would be disputing the entire charge with my bank.

I did call my bank and they are currently disputing this charge with the company.